Description: Lecture, four hours; outside study, eight hours. Requisites: courses 105A, 105D. Introduction to basic concepts and tools of statistical thermodynamics. Abstract concepts of entropy, temperature, and chemical potential are explained by developing these concepts from ground up using only mechanical and statistical principles. Discussion of equilibrium properties of thermodynamic systems and associated distributions. Provides sound foundation for further studies in transport phenomena, plasma, chemical kinetics, micro/nanoscale science and technology, and other related subjects. Concurrently scheduled with course C238. Letter grading.

Units: 4.0