Free Course Image Statistical Mechanics

Free online courseStatistical Mechanics

Duration of the online course: 35 hours and 54 minutes

New course

Explore MIT's free Statistical Mechanics course and gain deep insights into thermodynamics, kinetic theory, and quantum systems. Start your physics journey today!

In this free course, learn about

  • Foundations of Thermodynamics
  • Advanced Thermodynamics Concepts
  • Kinetic Theory of Gases
  • Nonequilibrium Kinetics and Transport
  • Classical Statistical Ensembles
  • Interacting Particles and Phase Behavior
  • From Classical to Quantum Statistical Mechanics
  • Ideal Quantum Gases and Quantum Phenomena

Course Description

Delve into the fascinating world of Statistical Mechanics with MIT's comprehensive free online course tailored for those interested in the foundational aspects of physics. This course offers a meticulously structured curriculum spanning basic to advanced concepts in statistical mechanics, designed to provide a robust understanding of this essential field.

Start your journey with a deep dive into thermodynamics, where you'll explore its principles across four insightful modules. Discover how thermodynamics serves as the backbone for understanding complex systems and learn about energy exchange, entropy, and more in a structured, step-by-step manner.

Next, the course transitions into the realm of probability, with detailed discussions and analyses divided into two parts. Here, you'll gain a firm grounding in the probabilistic methods that underpin statistical mechanics, a critical aspect of understanding the behavior of systems at a molecular level.

The kinetic theory of gases is another significant section, encompassing five modules that unravel the molecular dynamics and interactions of gases. This comprehensive coverage will equip you with the ability to describe and predict the movement and interactions of gas molecules under various conditions.

As you progress, the course delves into classical statistical mechanics through three modules, focusing on the distribution of particles and systems' macroscopic properties. Building on this, five modules dedicated to interacting particles will enhance your understanding of more complex systems where interactions between particles play a crucial role.

Finally, explore the quantum world through sections on quantum statistical mechanics and ideal quantum gases. These modules will introduce you to the macroscopic and microscopic implications of quantum principles, culminating your learning experience in one of physics' most intriguing and challenging areas.

Embark on this educational adventure and enrich your knowledge of Statistical Mechanics, a key area in physics, with insights and content provided by one of the world's leading institutes.

Course content

  • Video class: 1. Thermodynamics Part 1 1h26m
  • Exercise: What is the primary function of the first law of thermodynamics?
  • Video class: 2. Thermodynamics Part 2 1h23m
  • Exercise: What is the main consideration when studying systems in thermodynamics?
  • Video class: 3. Thermodynamics Part 3 1h23m
  • Exercise: What is a key concept introduced for efficient thermodynamic cycles?
  • Video class: 4. Thermodynamics Part 4 1h18m
  • Exercise: What is the primary focus of the video?
  • Video class: 5. Probability Part 1 1h21m
  • Exercise: What is the significance of the Third Law of Thermodynamics?
  • Video class: 6. Probability Part 2 1h24m
  • Exercise: What is true about a Gaussian distribution?
  • Video class: 7. Kinetic Theory of Gases Part 1 1h18m
  • Exercise: What is the main concept used to assign unbiased probabilities?
  • Video class: 8. Kinetic Theory of Gases Part 2 1h15m
  • Exercise: What is the main function of the ensemble density in thermodynamics?
  • Video class: 9. Kinetic Theory of Gases Part 3 1h25m
  • Exercise: What is the significance of the Poisson Bracket in kinetic theory?
  • Video class: 10. Kinetic Theory of Gases Part 4 1h25m
  • Exercise: What principle is contradicted by the practical behavior of gas expansion?
  • Video class: 11. Kinetic Theory of Gases Part 5 1h22m
  • Exercise: What concept in the video reflects the transition to equilibrium in a gas?
  • Video class: 12. Classical Statistical Mechanics Part 1 1h25m
  • Exercise: What is the primary goal of solving the Boltzmann equation in the context of a dilute gas?
  • Video class: 13. Classical Statistical Mechanics Part 2 1h22m
  • Exercise: What equation describes the evolution of gas particle probability density?
  • Video class: 14. Classical Statistical Mechanics Part 3 1h25m
  • Exercise: What is a microcanonical ensemble?
  • Video class: 15. Interacting Particles Part 1 1h25m
  • Exercise: What does the canonical ensemble specify in statistical mechanics?
  • Video class: 16. Interacting Particles Part 2 1h22m
  • Exercise: What is the main focus of the video transcript?
  • Video class: 17. Interacting Particles Part 3 1h23m
  • Exercise: What is the main focus of the professor's discussion on thermodynamics?
  • Video class: 18. Interacting Particles Part 4 1h24m
  • Exercise: What is the dimensionless ratio of PcVc/kBTc for the van der Waals equation?
  • Video class: 19. Interacting Particles Part 5 1h19m
  • Exercise: What was a key difficulty in classical statistical mechanics that led to the development of quantum mechanics?
  • Video class: 20. Quantum Statistical Mechanics Part 1 1h23m
  • Exercise: What is the correct statement about the quantum density matrix?
  • Video class: 21. Quantum Statistical Mechanics Part 2 1h23m
  • Exercise: What distinguishes a pure quantum state from a mixed one?
  • Video class: 22. Ideal Quantum Gases Part 1 1h20m
  • Exercise: What is the correct energy formula for a one-particle system in a box?
  • Video class: 23. Ideal Quantum Gases Part 2 1h23m
  • Exercise: What describes the dependence of pressure on density for a quantum gas in the grand canonical ensemble?
  • Video class: 24. Ideal Quantum Gases Part 3 1h23m
  • Exercise: What distinguishes fermions from bosons in quantum mechanics and their occupation rules?
  • Video class: 25. Ideal Quantum Gases Part 4 1h22m
  • Exercise: What phenomenon does Bose-Einstein Condensation lead to?
  • Video class: 26. Ideal Quantum Gases Part 5 1h21m
  • Exercise: What is a unique property of superfluid helium?

This free course includes:

35 hours and 54 minutes of online video course

Digital certificate of course completion (Free)

Exercises to train your knowledge

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