Light and Heat

The course is an introduction to university-level thermodynamics and optics. Topics include statistical nature of many-body systems, phase space, multiplicity of states and its connection to thermodynamic variables, equipartition theorem, entropy, and the three laws of thermodynamics, electromagnetic waves, wave equations, Maxwell’s equations as it pertains to light, ray optics, lens systems, interference and diffraction through complex representation of plane wave states. A small number of at-home demonstrations will provide hands-on exposure to particular thermodynamic and optical phenomena. Elements of multivariable calculus and linear algebra will be utilized.