Thermal Physics Unit T4 Kinetic Theory
Prerequisites: T1 and T2
Overview: This unit turns to the microscopic picture of matter as containing large numbers of atoms and/or molecules moving with a distribution of speeds determined by the temperature. The ideal gas equation of state can be understood in this picture, along with many other properties such as viscosity, heat conductivity, and diffusion of gases.
Read:
F. W. Sears and G. L. Salinger, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical Thermodynamics (S&S) Chapt. 9 - Kinetic Theory; Chapt. 10 - Intermolecular Forces and Transport Phenomena
Comment: One of the more difficult concepts in this unit is that of molecular flux, covered at the beginning of Chapt. 9. Make sure you understand this idea, and how molecules move with a range of speeds in all possible directions, and how many averages needed to evaluate certain quantities involve integrals over the three dimensional space of velocities.
After completing this unit you should understand:
Problems:
Chapt. 9: Problems 1,5,6,13,16,23; Chapt. 10, Problems 6,10,14,15;