Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (VS1) (U03510)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 9 ? Acronym : PHY-3-VS1ThStat

An introduction to equilibrium thermodynamics. The First and Second laws of thermodynamics are introduced, along with the concepts of temperature, internal energy, heat, entropy and the thermodynamic potentials. Applications of thermodynamic concepts to topics such as heat engines, the expansion of gases and changes of phase are considered. The Third Law, and associated properties of entropy, complete the course.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U03272

? Pre-requisites : Year 2 Physics and Mathematics

? Prohibited combinations : U01357 Statistical Mechanics Thermodynamics (pre-2006)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics), (School of Physics, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	10:00	10:50	KB
Lecture	Thursday	10:00	10:50	KB

? Additional Class Information : Workshop/tutorial sessions, as arranged.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:
1)State the 0th,1st,2nd,3rd Laws of thermodynamics, if appropriate in different forms;show equivalence
2)Understand all concepts needed to state the laws, such as thermodynamic equilibrium, (in)exact differentials, (ir)reversible processes
3)Use the laws of thermodynamics (esp 1st & 2nd laws) to solve a variety of problems, eg expansion of gases,efficiency of heat engines
4)Understand meaning and significance of state variables, in particular P;V;T;U;S, especially for a simple fluid, and to manipulate these variables to solve problems
5)Define the enthalpy H, Helmholtz function F and the Gibbs function G and state their roles in determining equilibrium under different constraints
6)Manipulate (using suitable results from the theory of functions of many variables) a variety of thermodynamic derivatives, including a number of 'material properties' eg heat capacity,thermal expansivity,compressibility, and solve problems in which such derivatives appear
7)Sketch the phase diagram of a simple substance in various representations;understand 'equation of state' (eg van der Waals' equation for a fluid) & basic thermodynamics of phase transitions
8)estimate orders of magnitudes