Phase Transitions: Thermodynamics and Universality

This lecture covers the concept of phase transitions in thermodynamics, focusing on the competition between different phases controlled by temperature. It discusses the Ising model as an example of a system undergoing a ferromagnetic transition, emphasizing the importance of the thermodynamic limit and the existence of phase transitions. The lecture also explores the concept of universality, where different systems exhibit similar critical behavior near phase transitions. The instructor delves into the analytical aspects of phase transitions, highlighting the role of spin configurations and the emergence of disordered states. Various examples and theoretical frameworks are presented to explain the phenomena observed in phase transitions.