Course 4 of Statistical Thermodynamics addresses dense gases, liquids, and solids. As the density of a gas is increased, intermolecular forces begin to affect behavior. For small departures from ideal gas behavior, known as the dense gas limit, one can estimate the change in properties using the concept of a configuration integral, a modification to the partition function. This leads to the development of equations of state that are expansions in density from the ideal gas limit. Inter molecular potential energy functions are introduced and it is explored how they impact P-V-T behavior. As the density is increased, there is a transition to the liquid state. We explore whether this transition is smooth or abrupt by examining the stability of a thermodynamic system to small perturbations. We then present a brief discussion regarding the determination of the thermodynamic properties of liquids using concept of the radial distribution function (RDF), and how the function relates to thermodynamic properties. Finally, we explore two simple models of crystalline solids.
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Dense Gases, Liquids and Solids
This course is part of Statistical Thermodynamics Specialization
Instructor: John W. Daily
5,410 already enrolled
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(112 reviews)
What you'll learn
Analyze the impact of intermolecular forces on the transition of gases to liquids as density increases
Evaluate the stability of a thermodynamic system as it transitions from gas to liquid state in response to small perturbations
Assess the role of the radial distribution function (RDF) in determining thermodynamic properties of liquids
Describe the behavior of crystalline solids using simple statistical thermodynamics
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There are 4 modules in this course
As the density of a gas is increased, intermolecular forces begin to affect behavior. For small departures from ideal gas behavior, known as the dense gas limit, one can estimate the change in properties using the concept of a configuration integral, a modification to the partition function. This leads to the development of equations of state that are expansions in density from the ideal gas limit. Inter molecular potential energy functions are introduced and it is explored how they impact P-V-T behavior.
What's included
4 videos4 readings2 discussion prompts
As the density is increased, there is a transition to the liquid state. We explore whether this transition is smooth or abrupt by examining the stability of a thermodynamic system to small perturbations. We also explore Gibb's phase rule.
What's included
3 videos3 readings1 assignment1 discussion prompt
In this Module we present a brief discussion regarding the determination of the thermodynamic properties of liquids using the concept of the radial distribution function (RDF), and how the function relates to thermodynamic properties. This includes introducing the use of molecular dynamics to obtain the radial distribution function.
What's included
3 videos3 readings1 discussion prompt
It turns out that we can use the results of simple statistical thermodynamics to describe the behavior of crystalline solids.
What's included
2 videos2 readings3 assignments
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Recommended if you're interested in Mechanical Engineering
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
École Polytechnique
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