What is Thermal physics?
{{jargon|date=January 2024}} [[File:Bose Einstein condensate.png|250px|thumb|right|[[Bose-Einstein condensate]] - representative image of '''thermal physics'''.]] '''Thermal physics''' is the combined study of [[thermodynamics]], [[statistical mechanics]], and [[kinetic theory]]. This [[umbrella]]-subject is typically designed for [[physics]] students. It gives a general introduction to each of the three core [[heat]]-related subjects. Some people define thermal physics loosely as only thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.<ref>{{cite book | last = Chang Lee | first = Joon | title = Thermal Physics – Entropy and Free Energies | publisher = World Scientific | year = 2001 | isbn=9810248741 }}</ref> ==Overview== Thermal physics is the study of the [[Statistics|statistical]] nature of physical systems from an [[energy]] perspective. Starting with [[heat]] and [[temperature]], thermal physics analyzes the [[first law of thermodynamics]] and [[second law of thermodynamics]] from the statistical perspective, in terms of the number of [[microstate (statistical mechanics)|microstate]]s corresponding to a given [[macrostate]]. In addition, the concept of [[entropy]] is studied via [[Quantum mechanics|quantum theory]]. A central topic in thermal physics is the [[canonical probability distribution]]. The [[Electromagnetism|electromagnetic]] nature of [[photons]] and [[phonons]] are studied which show that the [[oscillation]]s of [[electromagnetic field]]s and of [[Crystal lattice|crystal lattices]] have much in common. Waves form a basis for both, provided one incorporates quantum theory. Other topics studied in thermal physics include: [[chemical potential]], the [[quantum]] nature of an [[ideal gas]], i.e. in terms of [[fermions]] and [[bosons]], [[Bose-Einstein condensation]], [[Gibbs free energy]], [[Helmholtz free energy]], [[chemical equilibrium]], [[phase equilibrium]], the [[equipartition theorem]], [[entropy]] at [[absolute zero]], and transport processes as [[mean free path]], [[viscosity]], and [[cond