Thermodynamics
Covers the laws of thermodynamics, their immediate implications, as well as requirements for stability, maxwell constructions, and a brief study of phase transitions. Intended to flow into the statistical mechanics course
Lecture 1: The First, Second, and Third Laws of Thermodynamics
Covers various formulations of the first law of thermodynamics (for closed and open systems), the 2nd law, stated in terms of entropy, as well as the third law.
Lecture 2: What Determines Equilibrium?
Entropy maximization and the conditions for thermal, mechanical, and chemical equilibrium, with ideal-gas examples, the zeroth law, and constrained variations.
Lecture 3: Fundamental Relations, Thermodynamic Potentials, and Chemical Potential
Legendre transforms, reservoir minimum principles, extensivity, Euler and Gibbs–Duhem relations, and chemical potential, with worked examples and practice problems.
Lecture 4: Equations of State, Maxwell Relations, and Response Functions
Maxwell relations, heat capacities, compressibilities, and thermal expansion, with applications to calorimetry, entropy reconstruction, and the speed of sound.
Lecture 5: Thermodynamic Processes, Heat Engines, and Available Work
Thermodynamic paths and Carnot cycles, gas expansion and Joule–Thomson cooling, finite reservoirs, entropy generation, and the limits on useful work.
Lecture 6: Stability, Convexity, and the Limits of Equilibrium
Second variations, thermodynamic curvature and response functions, coupled stability, metastability, and the limits of standard equilibrium criteria.