Ideal gases

Course 3 of Statistical Thermodynamics, Ideal Gases, studies the behavior of systems when intermolecular forces are unimportant. This is done by evaluating appropriate separation functions for translational, rotational, vibrational, and/or electronic motion. We begin with pure ideal gases, including monatomic, diatomic, and polyatomic species. We then discuss both nonreacting and reacting mixtures of ideal gases, since both have many industrial applications. Computational methods for calculating equilibrium properties are introduced. We also discuss practical sources of ideal gas properties. Interestingly, in addition to ordinary low-density gases, photons and electrons in metals can be described as if they were ideal gases, and so we discuss them.