SUMMARY
Thermal expansion in crystalline solids is primarily influenced by anharmonic terms in the potential; however, Landau and Lifshitz's "Course of Theoretical Physics," specifically in Statistical Physics part 1, paragraph 67, presents a derivation of the thermal expansion coefficient from the free energy of a harmonic solid. This raises questions about the presence of thermal expansion in a purely harmonic potential. Ashby’s insights indicate that atomic bonds demonstrate linear elasticity only for small displacements, suggesting that the derived expansion coefficient is valid within this limited range.
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of harmonic and anharmonic potentials in solid-state physics
- Familiarity with the concepts of thermal expansion and elasticity
- Knowledge of statistical mechanics, particularly free energy calculations
- Basic principles of crystallography and atomic bonding
NEXT STEPS
- Study the derivation of thermal expansion coefficients in Landau and Lifshitz's "Course of Theoretical Physics"
- Explore the implications of anharmonicity in solid-state physics
- Research linear elasticity and its limitations in atomic bonding
- Investigate the role of temperature in the behavior of crystalline solids
USEFUL FOR
Physicists, materials scientists, and students studying solid-state physics, particularly those interested in the relationship between thermal properties and atomic structure in crystalline materials.