Supplemental Materials

Last Updated: March 19, 2008

Open Source Physics Applets A collection of applets, with several on statistical physics and simulations, including the Ising model and the XY model. (Click on Statistical & Thermal, then STP Examples.)
Ising Model Applet Interactive simulation of the Ising model where you can explore behavior associated with phase transitions, including spontaneous magnetization, broken symmetry, interfacial fluctuations, nucleation and growth, correlation lengths and the critical point.
The Bose-Einstein Condensate In 1995, Eric Cornell and Carl Wieman at CU Boulder succeed in creating a state of matter, the BEC, predicted by Bose and Einstein 73 years earlier. The BEC has all atoms populating the same quantum state at very low temperatures.
Wikipedia Article on John von Neumann Mathematical genius that laid the foundations for much of 20th century science & technology, including quantum mechanics, game theory (and economics), and computing. Also, visit this entertaining historical slideshow on his role in developing the first computers.
Boltzmann 3D Homepage Boltzmann 3D is a kinetic theory demonstrator that visually illustrates principles of kinetic theory on your computer screen. Boltzmann 3D is written in Java using OpenGL graphics libraries and exists in Windows, Mac and Linux versions.
Kinetic Theory Applet This Java applet simulates a 2 dimensional gas of hard spheres, illustrating several important concepts in statistical mechanics/kinetic theory, such as: the approach to thermal equilibrium and the question of macroscopic irreversibility vs. microscopic reversibility.
Wikipedia Article on Legendre Transforms A summary of mathematical properties and physical uses of the Legendre transform. I also recommend Callen's text for more discussion on the Legendre transform.
Wikipedia Article on Emmy Noether One of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century, discoverer of Noether's Theorem linking conservation laws to symmetry.

Click here for a set of comprehension questions to test your mastery of statistical thermodynamics.