2024 Faculty Courses School of Materials and Chemical Technology Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
Physical Chemistry IV (Statistical Mechanics) A
- Academic unit or major
- Undergraduate major in Chemical Science and Engineering
- Instructor(s)
- Ken Nakajima
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 3-4 Fri
- Class
- A
- Course Code
- CAP.H204
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2024
- Offered quarter
- 4Q
- Syllabus updated
- Mar 17, 2025
- Language
- Japanese
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Course description: This course treats statistical mechanics, which is the basis of any materials science. Statistical mechanics applies probability theory to study macroscopic thermodynamic behavior of systems from the viewpoint of microscopic individual atoms, molecules as their components. This course aims at the acquisition of fundamental knowledge of materials science with learning the basics of statistical mechanics.
Course aims: Through this course students can learn the basic of statistical mechanics, which is the basis of any materials science.
Course description and aims
Students learn the following abilities by this lecture.
1) They learn basic concepts of statistical mechanics such as microcanonical, canonical and grandcanonical ensembles, partition function.
2) Through exercise problems in each class, they learn such concepts with more practical problems.
Keywords
microcanonical ensemble, canonical ensemble, grandcanonical ensemble, partition function, entropy, free energy, chemical equilibrium, mean-field approximation
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
The detailed contents of the classes will be shown using blackboards and slides on a projector. During the class, students are given exercise problems related to the lecture given that day to solve.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Mathematical preparation (basic of probability theory) | Mathematical preparation such as probability theory will be reviewed as an introduction to statistical mechanics. |
| Class 2 | Microcanonical ensemble | The method of microcanonical ensemble will be reviewed together with the new concept of temperature based on the context of statistical mechanics. |
| Class 3 | Internal energy and entropy | Based on the method of microcanonical ensemble, the concepts of internal energy and entropy will be reviewed. |
| Class 4 | Canonical ensemble and thermodynamic potentials | The method of canonical ensemble will be reviewed together with the understanding of partition function and its relationship to thermodynamics quantities. |
| Class 5 | Chemical potential and chemical equilibrium | The concept of chemical potentials and the statistical mechanics interpretation of chemical equilibrium will be reviewed. |
| Class 6 | Interacting systems | 相互作用のある系について、Ising模型や平均場近似などの近似法について学びます。 |
| Class 7 | Practice problems and interpretation for confirming the level of understanding | Practice problems will be given to ensure accurate understanding of the above all lectures. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
Atkins' Physical Chemistry, Oxford University Press; 10th Revised (2014)
Reference books, course materials, etc.
To be announced
Evaluation methods and criteria
By final exams. Exercise problems can be the source of evaluation if necessary.
Related courses
- CAP.H201 ： Physical Chemistry I (Thermodynamics)
- CAP.H202 ： Physical Chemistry II (Chemical Equilibirum)
- CAP.H203 ： Physical Chemistry III (Kinetics)
- CAP.H303 ： Kinetic Theory of Molecules
Prerequisites
There is no requirement to take this course, while students who have learned thermodynamics are welcome.
Contact information (e-mail and phone) Notice : Please replace from ”[at]” to ”@”(half-width character).
knakaji[at]mac.titech.ac.jp
Office hours
Contact by e-mail in advance to make an appointment
Other
Students in Classes 1 and 2 should take Class [A], and students in Classes 3 and 4 should take Class [B].