References:
<br>1. Peter Atkins and Julio de Paula, Physical Chemistry, 8th edition, (2006).
<br>2. Thomas Engel and Philip Reid, Physical Chemistry, 3rd edition, (2012).
<br>3. Terrell L. Hill, An Introduction to Statistical Thermodynamics, 1st edition, (1987).
<br>4. Donald A. McQuarrie, Statistical Mechanics, 1st edition, (2000).
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<br>Course prerequisites:
<br>Physical Chemistry I, Physical Chemistry II, and Applied Mathematics.
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<br>Course ob<x>jectives:
<br>The goal of this course is to introduce students to the principles and methods of statistical thermodynamics and the related applications in chemistry.
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<br>Course Outline:
<br>1. Molecular thermodynamics
<br>‧ Probability and Stirling's approximation
<br>‧ Energy levels; populations; configurations; microstates; statistical weight
<br>‧ Lagrange optimization method; Derivation of Boltzmann distribution
<br>‧ Boltzmann factors; the molecular partition function
<br>‧ Internal energy; heat capacity; entropy
<br>‧ Helmholtz free energy, pressure, enthalpy, and Gibbs free energy
<br>‧ Two-state system and negative absolute temperatures
<br>2. Canonical ensemble
<br>‧ Equilibrium distribution and properties
<br>‧ Fluctuations in the canonical ensemble
<br>‧ Relating the canonical partition function to the molecular partition function
<br>3. Ideal gas
<br>‧ Monatomic gas; translational partition function
<br>‧ Diatomic gas; vibrational partition function; rotational partition function
<br>‧ Polyatomic gas
<br>4. Statistical interpretation of three laws of thermodynamics
<br>5. Statistical calculation of equilibrium constants for chemical reactions
<br>6. Classical partition function; Heat capacity of crystals
<br>7. Molecular level chemical kinetics: theory of the rate constant
<br>‧ Temperature dependence of rate constants
<br>‧ Desc<x>ription of potential energy surfaces; the reaction coordinate
<br>‧ Statistical theory of the rate constant: Transition state theory
<br>8. Physical kinetics: Kinetic theory of gases
<br>‧ Maxwell-Boltzmann velocity and speed distribution
<br>‧ Average velocity and speed
<br>‧ Collision rates and cross sections
<br>‧ Simple collision theory of bimolecular reactions
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<br>Course Grades:
<br>Homework (10%)
<br>3 Exams: Exam 1 (30%); Exam 2 (30%); Exam 3 (30%) 
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