FYS2160 - Thermodynamics and statistical physics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Choose semester
Course content
Thermodynamics and its statistical interpretation. The first and second law of thermodynamics. Ideal gas, systems of paramagnets and solid lattices as simple model systems. Basic principles of heat engines and refrigerators. General thermodynamic relations and chemical potential. Phase transitions of pure substances, the law of mass action applied to simple chemical reactions and ionisation. Boltzmann statistics and quantum statistics. Fermi- and Bose gases, including Bose-Einstein condensation.
Learning outcome
To explain a variety of physical phenomena and processes observed in nature we have to invoke physical laws on the microscopic (atomic) level. Guided by a basic knowledge of statistical physics the students are expected to fully understand and make proper analyses of physical problems related to temperature and energy.
Admission
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
One of these:
- Mathematics R1
- Mathematics (S1+S2)
And and in addition one of these:
- Mathematics (R1+R2)
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies. Read more about special admission requirements.
The following courses must be taken earlier than the first mandatory laboratory in FYS2160:
- HMS0503 - Laboratory Safety or MNHMS0010LS - Introduction to Laboratory Safety (discontinued) or MNHMS0020LS - In-depth Laboratory Safety (discontinued)
- HMS0505 - Electricity Safety or MNHMS0015ES - Introduction to Electricity Safety (discontinued)
For students taking FYS2160 Autumn 2015 or later, to have FYS2160 included in your degree you must first pass the following HSE courses:
- HMS0503 - Laboratory Safety or MNHMS0010LS Introduction to Laboratory Safety (discontinued) or MNHMS0020LS - In-depth Laboratory Safety (discontinued)
- HMS0505 - Electricity Safety or MNHMS0015ES - Introduction to Electricity Safety
For further information see website for transitional arrangements between old and new HSE courses
Recommended previous knowledge
MAT1100 - Calculus, MAT1110 - Calculus and linear algebra, MAT1120 - Linear algebra, FYS-MEK1110 - Mechanics, FYS1120 - Electromagnetism and FYS2140 - Quantum physics.
Overlapping courses
10 credits overlap against FYS114.
Teaching
The course is given in the fall term and contains 4 hours of lectures in addition to problem solving and computer lab. There will also be compulsory problems for evaluation where 2/3 must be "passed" in order to qualify for the final exam.
To attend mandatory laboratory classes it is required that the following courses must be taken earlier than the first compulsory laboratory in FYS2160:
- HMS0503 - Laboratory Safety or MNHMS0010LS - Introduction to Laboratory Safety (discontinued) or MNHMS0020LS - In-depth Laboratory Safety (discontinued)
- HMS0505 Electricity Safety or MNHMS0015ES - Introduction to Electricity Safety (discontinued)
You will need to provide documentation that you have passed HMS0503 and HMS0505 when you attend the first mandatory lab.
As the teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Examination
Final written 4-hour exam (beginning of December) with 100% weight.
Examination support material
Allowed aids: Øgrim og Lian "Fysiske størrelser og enheter". Rottman: "Matematisk formelsamling". Approved calculator. Two A4 sheets with notes.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Re-scheduled exams are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who:
- can document a valid reason for absence from the regular exam (e.g. illness before or during the exam)
- withdraw during the exam
- do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.
Read more about re-scheduled exams.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, periodic evaluation of this course.