Introduction ============ .. raw:: html `Link w/ Playlist `_ My Background ------------- My name is Jonathan Gardner. BS in Physics in 2000, minor in Math, from the University of Washington. Programming for the past 19 years at various companies. Wanted to go back to earn a PhD for almost 8 years now. What This Is ------------ This is an "open study notebook" of sorts. I'm studying this book deeply, and I'm telling you what I am learning from it. You can treat it as a lecture, or you can treat it as a supplement. Do with it what you will. If you complain that I am simply following the textbook and my content is correct and matches what is in the book, I take that as a compliment. Schroeder --------- A popular textbook. Way too much for one semester, so typically entire chapters and sections are dropped. Allows you to study either Thermodynamics or Statistical Mechanics, or both. We'll do it all! Thermal Physics --------------- Thermal Physics is really two subjects that are closely related to one another: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (statmech). Thermodynamics is the study of how temperature, pressure, volume, etc... all behave in the real world. Statistical Mechanics covers how the random behavior of atomic (and subatomic!) particles translates to the phenomena we see in the real world. Explains a whole lot of things that Thermodynamics understand from first principles. Applications of Thermal Physics are literally *everywhere*. This is truly the "king" of practical physics because it applies to almost everything imaginable in some form or another. Learning Physics ---------------- 1. Get the textbook. Read it. Solve the problems. 2. Watch my videos to help you internalize the contents of the book. I FOLLOW THE MATERIAL VERY CLOSELY, and I add little to nothing to the book so that you can focus on the book. 3. Talk with others about what you are learning. Talk to physicists who will love to help you broaden your horizons! Talk to people unfamiliar with physics so they can begin to see the magical world that has always existed all around us. 4. Give your brain plenty of opportunity to sort this mess out and make sense of it. How to Get a Good Grade ----------------------- Thermal Physics is often considered a "weeder" course. What this means it is used to sift those who are ready to put in the work to earn a degree and those who are not. Here's some unsolicited advice on how to "survive" and thrive in this course. It applies to almost anything in life. I'll break this up into two sections: Work hard, and Rest. Working hard: You can't win at physics unless you put in the effort. Sustained effort over a long period of time is significantly better than bursts of frantic effort. Setup a schedule of regular study and STICK TO IT. Challenge yourself, but do not kill yourself or burn yourself out. Other practical advice: Talk to your TA and professor. Keep AHEAD on your homework. Be ready for the exam WEEKS before the exams. Rest: You need to have your brain and body in peak condition if you ever hope to pass. 1. Get plenty of sleep. Real, deep, meaningful sleep. Put away your phone, go to bed early, and wake up early. 2. Eat healthy foods. Avoid processed foods. Learn to cook for yourself from raw ingredients if you can. Learn about nutrition. Avoid the crazy people. 3. Exercise. Your body needs to be strong. I ran cross-country in high school and had a habit of running 3 times a week in college. Your brain can't be better than your body is healthy. Get fit, stay fit, exercise! 4. Avoid all mind-altering chemical substances. Obviously, tobacco, alcohol, marijuana, non-prescription medicine. I would also disrecommend caffeine and energy drinks. Your mind needs plenty of REST too. You need it in peak condition. Don't stimulate it with any kind of drug. 5. Healthy social habits. Find good friends, and keep and build those relationships that matter -- your family. Having a "home base" you can plant your feet in will set your mind at ease and give you a place to release the stress of life. 6. Take a break sometimes. There is something to the 5-day work-week. Get your mind off your studies one or two days a week. The above sounds like semi-spiritual advice, and it is. We are more than just a machine. We are living and breathing sentient minds with passions and emotions, and you can harness the power of your mind or you can let these passions and emotions control you. Support Me ---------- * Subscribe and Ring the Bell * Like * Share with others wherever you feel it is appropriate. * Join us on Discord. * If you want to give me money, which I would greatly appreciate, Patreon.