Physics/ECE 363: Introduction to Thermal Physics
Spring Semester, 2011

Professor Henry Greenside


Syllabus      Links    Answers      Lectures      Homeworks      Files     


ultra-cold temperatures versus atom traps pressure-temperarture phase diagram of water bacterial flagellar motor

The above images represent some topics or questions that we will discuss.
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Welcome to Physics/ECE 363, a one-semester undergraduate introduction to thermal and statistical physics. The course will discuss how to describe, classify, predict, and use the macroscopic properties of equilibrium systems that consist of many components such as molecules in a gas, atoms in a crystal, photons in an opaque object, polymers in rubber, electrons in a metal, spins in a magnet, and neutrons in a neutron star. The subject is essential for nearly all areas of science and engineering, and has found applications to many others areas such as biology, computer science, mathematics, statistics, and the social sciences. It is also one of the most relevant and useful of undergraduate physics course for those interested in biology and biophysics.

Please refer to the links at the top of this page to access course announcements, the course syllabus, and other useful material. In particular, please check the Announcements link from time to time for postings of reading assignments, homeworks, answers,and topics or talks of special interest to the class.