CHEM C123A
Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics
Description: Lecture, four hours; discussion, one hour. Requisite: course 110B or 156. Recommended: course 113A. Rigorous presentation of fundamentals of classical thermodynamics. Principles of statistical thermodynamics: probability, ensembles, partition functions, independent molecules, and perfect gas. Applications of classical and statistical thermodynamics selected from diatomic and polyatomic gases, solid and fluid states, phase equilibria, electric and magnetic effects, ortho-para hydrogen, chemical equilibria, reaction rates, imperfect gas, nonelectrolyte and electrolyte solutions, surface phenomena, high polymers, gravitation. May be concurrently scheduled with course C223A. P/NP or letter grading.
Units: 4.0
Units: 4.0
Most Helpful Review
Fall 2018 - Dr. Mason was OK. He followed his own specific textbook very closely (Widom) instead of what I thought was the stronger book (Reif). His lectures were very dry and typically boring. The material itself is really interesting and worth it alone to take the class. You play with all various partition functions in a variety of different applications. His tests were nearly 100% plug and chug and were extremely easy in my opinion.
Fall 2018 - Dr. Mason was OK. He followed his own specific textbook very closely (Widom) instead of what I thought was the stronger book (Reif). His lectures were very dry and typically boring. The material itself is really interesting and worth it alone to take the class. You play with all various partition functions in a variety of different applications. His tests were nearly 100% plug and chug and were extremely easy in my opinion.