Phys 219-12!
Welcome to Phys 219, 2012!
Next class, we will spend a short time on the entropy function of a probability distribution and optimizing it under constraint (see LN 4), and then start delving into classical statistical physics, starting with the kinetic theory of gas. Mathematical topics such as Levy distribution function and the Stirling's formula will be mentioned briefly but I won't spend much time on them, partly because you probably learned it already (Stirling's formula, e.g.; or it is just a formula, in some sense) or you will deal with it in homework (Levy distribution). Please keep reading the book along with my notes! As I said in class, I find the book quite good, really. [But, you should not be shy about letting me know what you think.]
Welcome to the Graduate Course in Statistical Physics!
In this course, you will learn statistical and thermal physics in-depth. The topics to be covered include fundamental topics of the classical and the quantum equilibrium statistical mechanics, the linear response theory and the renormalization group. You will also practice numerical methods. When properly followed, this course should enable you to gain solid understanding on how the random microscopic motions lead to sure macroscopic phenomena. You should also gain ability to perform basic and advanced statistical physics calculations.