Thermal Physics module (PH42009)

Have you ever wondered how your fridge works, how steam powers engines, or why heat flows from one object to another? Thermal physics holds the answers. It’s the branch of science that explains the relationship between temperature, heat, energy, and the motion of atoms and molecules.

In this module, you'll explore the powerful laws of thermodynamics and how they govern everything from boiling kettles to black holes. You'll see how energy moves through systems, why some processes are reversible while others aren’t, and what entropy really means. You’ll also begin to look at the world through the lens of statistics, connecting the behaviour of billions of particles to the large-scale properties we observe every day.

By studying thermal physics you will see how the same set of ideas can be used to describe systems such as engines, stars, and even your own body. You'll end up with a clearer picture of how the universe works on both the smallest and largest scales.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• understand the fundamental laws of thermodynamics and their consequences
• learn how to describe heat, energy, and entropy
• explore real-world systems like engines, gases, and phase changes
• use statistical mechanics to model the behaviour of large groups of particles
• discover the differences between classical and quantum gases

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• apply thermodynamic and statistical principles to a wide range of physical problems
• calculate energy changes, entropy, and probabilities using models like the Boltzmann distribution
• describe how microscopic particle behaviour gives rise to macroscopic properties

Assignments / assessment

• Homework problem sets (20%)
• Final written exam, two hours (80%)

Teaching methods / timetable

• Lectures – covering core concepts with worked examples
• Tutorials – focused on solving problems and applying ideas from lectures

You’ll also complete regular problem sets, helping you track your progress and prepare for the final exam.