01
Temperature, heat, and the zeroth law
What is temperature actually measuring?
Classical · Module 05
Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
Two descriptions of the same thing: thermodynamics from the outside, statistical mechanics from the inside. The moment they connect is one of the great unifications in science.
By the end of this module
You can explain why time has a direction, using nothing but counting.
0%0 / 6 complete
02
The first law and thermodynamic processes
If energy is conserved, why can I not run an engine on ocean heat?
03
Entropy and the second law
Why does the universe have a preferred direction in time?
VideoFree
The Most Misunderstood Concept in Physics ↗Veritasium
Corrects the 'entropy = disorder' framing most courses leave you with.
04
Kinetic theory and the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution
Can I derive pressure from nothing but billiard balls?
InteractiveFree
Gas Properties ↗PhET
Watch the speed distribution assemble itself from random collisions.
05
Ensembles and the partition function
Why does one function encode every thermodynamic quantity?
CourseFree
8.333 Statistical Mechanics I ↗MIT OCW
Mehran Kardar. Demanding, and the best free treatment available.
Check yourself
End-of-module quiz
Every answer comes with the reasoning, not just a verdict. Getting one wrong and reading why is the point.
01Entropy increases because:
02A heat engine operating between 600 K and 300 K has a maximum possible efficiency of:
03In the microcanonical ensemble, the fundamental assumption is that:
Answer all 3 to finish the module.