Statistical thermodynamics

CH-242(b) / 3 credits

Language: English

Summary

The course covers two topics: an introduction to interfacial chemistry, and statistical thermodynamics. The second part includes concepts like the Boltzmann distribution law, partition functions, ensembles, calculations of thermodynamic properties, quantum statistics, metals, and applications.

Content

A.Interfacial Chemistry

A. 1. Surfaces and interfaces, thermodynamics of interfaces

Surface tension and thermodynamic surface functions, Young and Laplace equations, vapor pressure at curved interfaces, capillary forces, contact angle, measurement of contact angles

A.2. Thermodynamics of adsorption at interfaces, Colloids/Micelles

Gibbs adsorption equation, surfactants, hydrophobic effect, formation of micelles, monomolecular films (Langmuir-Blodgett)

A.3. Adsorption at solid/gas and solid/liquid interfaces

Langmuir isotherm, Fowler-Guggenheim, BET, adsorption in porous solids, capillary condensation in mesoporous systems

B. Statistical Thermodynamcics

B.1. The Boltzmann distribution law

Derivation, Approximation

B.2. Partition function

The translational, rotational, vibrational and electronic partition functions

B.3. Thermodynamic functions from statistical thermodynamics

U, CV, heat and work, Entropy, Helmholtz¿ and Gibbs¿ free energies, Chemical potential

B.4. Ensembles

The canonical ensemble, the canonical partition function, the equilibrium constant

B.5. Quantum statistics

Bose-Einstein statistics, Fermi-Dirac statistics, the grand canonical partition function

B.6. Applying partition functions and ensembles

Heat capacity of solids, Computational chemical methods

B.7. Applications of statistical thermodynamics

Keywords

Boltzmann distribution

Partition function

Ensembles

Quantum statistics

Learning Prerequisites

Required courses

Quantum Chemistry

Physics II; Thermodynamics

Important concepts to start the course

Laws of thermodynamics

Equations for quantum energy levels of particle-in-a-box, rotation and vibtration.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:

Contextualise the connection between quantum mechanics and thermodynamics
Apply the molecular partition functions
Derive the vibrational and translational partition function
Derive and compute thermodynamic functions from partition functions
Describe the different ensembles
Apply Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics to solids

Teaching methods

Lectures with hand outs. Exercises.

Assessment methods

Written exam

Supervision

Office hours	Yes
Assistants	Yes
Forum	No

Resources

Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

Bibliography

Handouts of Lecture Notes and exercises, Moodle

Reference books:

Interfacial Chemistry:

Textbooks: Interfacial Science: An Introduction; G.T Barnes and I. Gentle, Oxford University Press available at Amazon.de

and/or

H. J. Butt, K. Graf, M. Kappl, Physics and chemistry of interfaces, Weinheim Wiley- VCH, 2013.

Statistical Thermodynamics:

Benjamin Widom, Statistical Mechanics: A Concise Introduction for Chemists, Cambridge University Press - 2002, ISBN-13: 978-0521009669

Donald A. McQuarrie, Statistical Mechanics, University Science Books - 2000, ISBN - 1-891389-15-7.

For introduction and as a reference for classical thermodynamics

Pierre Infelta & Michael Grätzel, Thermodynamique: Principles et Applications. BrownWalker Press - 2006. ISBN - 1-58112-995-5.

Ressources en bibliothèque

Moodle Link

https://go.epfl.ch/CH-242_b

In the programs

Semester: Spring
Exam form: Written (summer session)
Subject examined: Statistical thermodynamics
Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks

Semester: Spring
Exam form: Written (summer session)
Subject examined: Statistical thermodynamics
Lecture: 2 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks
Exercises: 1 Hour(s) per week x 14 weeks

Reference week

	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr
8-9
9-10
10-11
11-12
12-13
13-14
14-15
15-16
16-17
17-18
18-19
19-20
20-21
21-22

Légendes:

Lecture

Exercise, TP

Project, other