Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division: Math and Science
Course Prefix and number: PHYS 173
Course Title: Fluids & Thermal Physics
DATE PREPARED: February, 1997
DATE REVISED: August, 2003
PCS/CIP/ID NO.: 1.1400801-01
IAI NO. (if available): EGR 913
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS:
CREDIT HOURS: 2
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 2
LABORATORY HOURS: 1
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: PHYS 171 and credit or concurrent enrollment in MATH 163.
This is the third course in a calculus-based physics sequence for students in engineering,
mathematics, physics, and chemistry. Topics include fluid motion, propagation of heat and
sound, temperature and kinetic theory of gases, heat capacity and latent heat, first law of
thermodynamics, heat engines and the second law, and introduction to statistical mechanics.
Laboratory activities stress development of measurement, observational, and analytical skills,
and are based on lecture topics. Students will not receive credit for both PHYS 173 and PHYS
162.
TEXTBOOK(S):
Six Ideas that Shaped Physics: Unit T, Some Processes Are Irreversible, Second Edition, Moore.
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
PHYS 173 fulfills 2 of the 7(A.A.) or 8(A.S.) semester hours of credit in the Life/Physical
Sciences required for the A.A. or A.S. degree. It also satisfies the laboratory requirement for the
A.A. degree. PHYS 173 should transfer as part of the General Education Core Curriculum
described in the Illinois Articulation Initiative to other Illinois colleges and universities
participating in the IAI. However, students should consult an academic advisor for transfer
information regarding particular institutions. Refer to the IAI web page for information as well at
www.itransfer.org
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
apply the following physics concepts to solve
problems based on physical situations and explain
theoretical concepts.
 Temperature
 Ideal Gases and Gas Processes
 Macrostates and Microstates
 The Second Law
 Temperature and Entropy
 Calculating Entropy Changes
 Heat Engines
reflect on theoretical concepts and test conjectures
against known results, analyze physical data,
formulate a method of solution, and clearly articulate
the method of solution and why it was chosen,
recommend alternate solutions
PS3, CT4
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Homework
Tests
Laboratory
assignments
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Rubric
Student self/peer
assessment
Homework
Tests
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COURSE/LAB OUTLINE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Temperature & Heat
Ideal Gases
Kinetic Theory of Gases
Entropy & The Second Law
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Methods of evaluation will include laboratory reports (25%), exams (50%), and a final exam
(25%).
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
There will be reading assignments from the textbook to be read prior to discussion in class. It is
essential that students be able to clearly describe not only how a solution was obtained, but also
what the solution means. Therefore, writing will be important in the homework assignments,
exams and particularly for the laboratory reports.