CHAMPLAIN - ST. LAWRENCE
FALL 2014
PHYSICS 203-BNP-LW
INTRODUCTION TO THERMODYNAMICS
CHAMPLAIN – ST. LAWRENCE
PHYSICS 203-BNP-LW
INTRODUCTION TO THERMODYNAMICS
COURSE OUTLINE
SEMESTER:
INSTRUCTOR:
OFFICE:
TELEPHONE:
EMAIL:
WEB PAGE:
Fall 2014
Prof. S.D. Manoli
#354
Office: 656-6921 Ext. 449
Home: 261-1556
smanoli@slc.qc.ca
http://web2.slc.qc.c/smanoli/
OBJECTIVES:
PONDERATION:
COURSE CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES:
CO-REQUISITE:
00UV
3-2-3
2 2/3
Physics 203-NYA-05
Mathematics 201-NYB-05
Chemistry 202-NYA-05
Physics 203-NYB-05
GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE COURSE
This course is intended as an introduction to the principles of thermodynamics for students who intend to pursue
their studies in either the Biological or Physical Sciences. It will provide students with the knowledge of the four
fundamental Laws of Thermodynamics and their applications to a variety of temperature-dependent systems. In
addition, an introduction to the Kinetic Theory of Gases will be covered. The course opens with an introduction to
the concepts of pressure, temperature, heat and thermal equilibrium, the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics and
some of its consequences such as heat transfer. This is followed by the study of the effect of temperature into the
behaviour of matter, the Kinetic Theory of Gases, phase changes and thermal expansion. The relationship between
the concept of work, introduced and discussed in previous physics and chemistry courses, and heat is developed into
the First Law of Thermodynamics which is subsequently applied to a variety of processes, reversible and
irreversible, isothermal, isobaric and isochoric as well as cyclic processes. The concept of entropy is then
introduced and defined. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is introduced and it is applied a variety of cyclic
processes such as engines, refrigerators and heat pumps. It is then applied to a variety of processes which involve
the definition and use of the concepts of enthalpy, already seen in previous chemistry courses, Helmholtz Free
Energy and Gibbs Free Energy which will be applied to chemical reactions. Furthermore, the concept of entropy
will be defined in terms of a partition function constructed from probability distributions. This partition function
will then be related to the concept of state variables such as enthalpy and free energy.
ROLE OF THE COURSE IN THE SCIENCE PROGRAM
The objective of this course is to apply the scientific method in the study of Thermodynamics. This course will
address the following goals of the science program: to apply the experimental method, to take a systematic approach
to problem solving, to use appropriate data processing technologies, to reason logically, to communicate effectively,
to learn in an autonomous manner, to work as members of a team, to make connections between science and
technology and the evolution of society, to become familiar with the context in which scientific concepts are
discovered and developed, to develop attitudes appropriate for scientific work, to apply what they learned to new
situations.
COURSE STRUCTURE
Classes will involve the presentation of new material in lecture format and some topics may be covered in seminar
format. However, topics will be covered with particular emphasis on using mathematical techniques.
Some laboratory experiments may be required. In addition, students will investigate research topics of scientific
interest from the thermodynamical perspective. They may be required to write papers and/or present the results of
their research orally. The number of topics will vary depending on the scope of the research. Other exercises may
involve the use of MAPLE and/or Excel to carry out simulated experiments. Note that 10% of the mark for these
reports will be set aside for the quality of English.
PHYSICS 203-BNP-LW COURSE OUTLINE
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CHAMPLAIN - ST. LAWRENCE
FALL 2014
PHYSICS 203-BNP-LW
INTRODUCTION TO THERMODYNAMICS
TEXTBOOKS
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 4th Edition, by Douglas C. Giancoli, Pearson, 2008.
Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity, 7th Edition, by J.C. Kotz, P.M. Treichel, Jr, J.R. Townsend, Thomson, 2009.
Students are encouraged to seek and use supplemental materials dealing with specific topics.
COURSE CONTENT
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Introduction
Pressure in gases and liquids.
Temperature. Thermodynamic Equilibrium and The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics.
Thermal Expansion.
The First Law of Thermodynamics.
Heat. Heat Capacity. Heat Transfer. Work. Reversible and Irreversible Processes.
Isothermal, isochoric and isobaric processes. Cyclic Processes.
Kinetic Theory.
Gases. Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution. Molecular Speeds. Phase Changes.
Entropy and The Second Law of Thermodynamics.
Irreversible Heat Transfer. Available Work. Entropy. Enthalpy. Helmholtz Free
Energy. Gibbs Free Energy. Carnot Engine. Engines. Refrigerators and Heat Pumps.
Entropy and Probability. The Partition Function. State variables.
Entropy and The Third Law of Thermodynamics.
Entropy and Gibbs Free Energy changes in chemical reactions.
G Chapter 13
G Chapter 17
G Chapter 19
G Chapter 18
G Chapter 20
KTT Chapter 19
EVALUATION
Students will be evaluated as described below. Note that by midterm, students will have accumulated between 1520% of their final mark.
Problem Sets
Class Tests
Research Projects/Labs
Final Examination
Mid-Term
25%
50%
25%
Final
10%
30%
20%
40%
Problem sets will be assigned weekly (or so). Some of the problems must be handed in on the due date in class at
the beginning of the class. Late problem sets will receive a zero. There will be no exceptions. The remaining
problems will be practice problems.
There will be three (3) class tests during the semester, approximately one every month or so. Students will be given
at least one week’s notice before a test is to be written. These tests will be written on the scheduled dates only, and
consequently, there will be no make-up tests unless there is a college-approved reason.
The final exam will be written during the exam period on a date to be determined by the Administration only. There
will be no exceptions, and consequently, there will be no special exams unless there is a college-approved reason.
ACADEMIC ETHICS
St. Lawrence College has definite regulations concerning class attendance, cheating and plagiarism that are stated in
the Institutional Policy for the Evaluation of Student Achievement (IPESA). Class attendance is mandatory. Cheating
and plagiarism will be dealt with severely (see sections 5.4.1 and 5.4.2 of the IPESA). Students are encouraged to
discuss the assigned problems amongst each other, to teach each other how to solve the problems. However, copying
will not be tolerated. Work which has been copied, used to copy from, and/or plagiarized will automatically
receive a zero. It is every student’s responsibility to be aware of these, and other, rules regarding student behaviour
since they will be strictly enforced. A link to the full text of the IPESA can be found at http://www.crcsher.qc.ca/home/pdf/policies/IPESA.pdf.
PHYSICS 203-BNP-LW COURSE OUTLINE
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