Module Information
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 18 lectures |
| Seminars / Tutorials | 2 x 1 hour example classes |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Written Examination | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Course Work: Example Sheets. Deadlines are detailed in the Year 2 Example Sheet Schedule distributed by the Department. | 30% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Written Assessment | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:
• understand the principles of the zeroth, first, second and third laws of thermodynamics and apply the laws to solve associated problems.
• identify the principal thermodynamic steps in the operation of heat engines and calculate efficiencies.
• be familiar with the basic concepts of reversibility and entropy.
• explain the basic concepts of statistical mechanics and their applications to investigate properties of matter.
Brief description
Following a brief recap of some of the basic ideas of thermodynamics, including the zeroth and first laws of thermodynamics, this module presents the concept of entropy and its statistical significance, thermodynamic engines and refrigerators, the Carnot cycle and the second and third laws of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic potentials and the Maxwell relations are introduced, with real gases and phase transitions also considered. The concepts and techniques of statistical mechanics are introduced and are used to link the microscopic behaviour of matter with thermodynamic parameters.
Aims
The module considers the laws of thermodynamics and associated thermodynamic properties and introduces the theories for real gases and phase transitions. It also presents the techniques of statistical mechanics for linking microscopic properties of matter with thermodynamic parameters.
Content
1. Ideal gas, state variables.
2. Thermal equilibrium, zeroth law of thermodynamics.
3. Work, Heat and Internal Energy, first law of thermodynamics.
4. Heat Capacity, Enthalpy.
ENTROPY
1. Entropy and its statistical definition.
2. Reversible and irreversible processes.
3. Heat engines, refrigerators and heat pumps.
4. The second law of thermodynamics: Kelvin-Planck, Clausius statements
5. Carnot cycle, thermodynamic temperature scale.
6. The third law of thermodynamics and absolute entropy.
THERMODYNAMIC POTENTIALS AND MAXWELL RELATIONS
1. Gibbs and Helmholtz free energies.
2. The Maxwell relations.
3. Phase equilibria.
4. Clausius-Claperyon relation.
REAL GASES
1. The van der Waals equation of state, critical temperature, the Dieterici equation of state.
2. Virial expansion, Boyle temperature, condensation of gases.
3. Joule-Kelvin expansion.
PHASE TRANSITIONS
1. Thermodynamic definition, phase rule, and mixing of real solutions
2. Calculation of thermodynamic potentials and partition function.
3. Dynamics of phase transitions, fluctuations of density, nucleation and diffusion.
STATISTICAL MECHANICS
1. Assembly of distinguishable particles: Boltzmann distribution, partition function, link to thermodynamic parameters, examples.
2. Assembly of indistinguishable particles (gases): Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein distributions, density of states, Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, examples.
Reading List
General TextC.B.P. Finn Thermal Physics Nelson-Thornes (previously published with Routledge) Primo search Guenault, A. M. (1995 (various p) Statistical physics /Tony Guenault. 2nd ed. Chapman and Hall Primo search Trevena, David Henry. (c2001 (2003 pri) Statistical mechanics :an introduction /D.H. Trevena. Horwood Pub. Primo search Should Be Purchased
P.A. Tipler Physics for Scientists and Engineers W.H. Freeman 1999 Primo search Recommended Text
P.W. Atkins Physical Chemistry Oxford Press Primo search
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 5