Thermal Physics

  1. Kinetic Theory of Gases
    1. Microscopic Model of an Ideal Gas
      1. Assumptions of the Kinetic Model
        1. Point Particles
          1. No Intermolecular Forces
            1. Random Motion
              1. Elastic Collisions
                1. Classical Mechanics
                2. Validity and Limitations
                3. Pressure from Molecular Motion
                  1. Derivation of Pressure
                    1. Molecular Collisions with Walls
                      1. Force and Momentum Transfer
                      2. Kinetic Interpretation of Pressure
                        1. Ideal Gas Law from Kinetic Theory
                        2. Temperature and Molecular Speed
                          1. Kinetic Interpretation of Temperature
                            1. Average Kinetic Energy
                              1. Relationship to Temperature
                              2. Root-Mean-Square Speed
                                1. Definition and Calculation
                                  1. Temperature Dependence
                                  2. Molecular Speed Distributions
                                  3. The Equipartition of Energy Theorem
                                    1. Statement of the Theorem
                                      1. Classical Statistical Mechanics Basis
                                        1. Degrees of Freedom
                                          1. Translational Degrees of Freedom
                                            1. Rotational Degrees of Freedom
                                              1. Vibrational Degrees of Freedom
                                              2. Energy per Degree of Freedom
                                                1. Application to Different Molecules
                                                  1. Monatomic Gases
                                                    1. Diatomic Gases
                                                      1. Polyatomic Gases
                                                      2. Molar Specific Heats from Equipartition
                                                        1. Predictions and Comparisons
                                                          1. Limitations at Low Temperatures
                                                        2. The Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
                                                          1. Derivation of the Distribution
                                                            1. Mathematical Formulation
                                                              1. Graphical Representation
                                                                1. Temperature Dependence
                                                                  1. Characteristic Speeds
                                                                    1. Most Probable Speed
                                                                      1. Average Speed
                                                                        1. Root-Mean-Square Speed
                                                                          1. Relationships Among Speeds
                                                                          2. Applications and Implications
                                                                          3. Mean Free Path and Collisions
                                                                            1. Definition of Mean Free Path
                                                                              1. Molecular Cross-Section
                                                                                1. Calculation of Mean Free Path
                                                                                  1. Collision Frequency
                                                                                    1. Dependence on Pressure and Temperature
                                                                                      1. Transport Properties
                                                                                        1. Viscosity
                                                                                          1. Thermal Conductivity
                                                                                            1. Diffusion