Physics

Level of the end of the preparatory class.

- To enable students to assimilate the fundamental postulates of quantum physics and to understand, in particular, microscopic physics in probabilistic terms.
- To master the notions of statistical physics and the foundations of classical statistical distributions, thermodynamic and chemical potentials.
- To understand the evolution of scientific thought from a history of ideas approach, halfway between empiricism and speculation.
- To be able to identify the implications for engineering sciences.

- Familiarise the student with an unusual conceptual framework, as it is different from the intuitions we form on our macroscopic scale;
- Learn to deal with non-determinism in physics and engineering;
- To know fundamental concepts of physics that are useful in many scientific and technical fields.
This course also provides students with the opportunity to practice:
-1 Identify the crucial parameters determining the solution of a problem;
-2 Invent original solutions;
-3 Demonstrate mathematical rigour when solving a problem;
-4 Integrate a relatively complex mode of reasoning.

Continuous assessment (CC):
CC1 ("Quantum Physics" part): 2 writings that contribute for 50% of the final mark.
CC2 (part "Statistical Physics"): 2 writings that contribute to 50% of the final mark.

Quantum physics part: course handouts. Griffith's book. Solutions to tutorials and others available on Moodle.
Statistical physics part: books in the centre de documentation. Some documents for the tutorials.

Thomas Durt, Philippe Réfrégier, Georges Bérardi, Frédéric Galland, David Zarzoso, Loic Le Goff, Muriel Roche, Luis Aleman-Castaneda, Julien Fade, Frédéric  Schwander, Nicolas Sandeau, Marc Jaeger.