Download BCJ0205-15 Thermal phenomena (3-1-4)

BCJ0205-15 Thermal phenomena (3-1-4)
General goals:
The goal of this course is to review the concepts in thermal physics usually taught in highschool, but in a deeper and more systematic way. Topics include the laws of thermodynamics,
the kinetic theory of gases and applications to thermal machines. In the laboratory the
students will be introduce to experimental practices in physics, involving and exemplifying the
concepts learned in the theoretical classes.
Specific goals:
After taking this course the student should have acquired knowledge, intuition and
mathematical skills in physical situations involving:
1.
Thermal properties of materials and meaningful physical quantities.
2.
Exchange of heat between two or more thermal systems.
3.
The laws of thermodynamics, their implications for physical phenomena and practical
applications.
4.
Thermal machines and their evaluation based on useful power, heat dissipation and
efficiency.
5.
Important thermodynamic quantities from the atomic/molecular view-point.
6.
Microscopic and macroscopic aspects of thermal systems.
The concept of entropy and its consequences.
Syllabus:
Temperature. Heat. First law of thermodynamics. Kinetic theory of gases. Thermal machines.
Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics.
Program:
Week 1: Thermal equilibrium. Temperature and the zeroth law of thermodynamics. Scales and
measures of temperature. Thermal expansion.
Week 2: Heat, internal energy, heat capacity and specific heat. Latent heat.
Week 3: Mechanisms for heat transfer.
Week 4: Heat and work in thermodynamic processes. Path between thermodynamic states
and the first law of thermodynamics.
Week 5: Ideal gases: microscopic interpretation; work performed by an ideal gas.
Week 6: Idea gases: molar heat capacity, processes involving an ideal gas, adiabatic
transformations and free expansion.
Week 7: Kinetic theory of gases: equipartition of energy, molar specific heat of ideal gases.
Mean free path.
Week 8: Kinetic theory of gases: Maxwell’s velocity distribution.
Week 9: Reversible and irreversible processes. Carnot cycle. Definition of entropy.
Week 10: Thermal machines and the second law of thermodynamics.
Week 11: Second law of thermodynamics and the statistical interpretation of entropy.
Week 12: Refrigerators. Complements on the concept of entropy
Practicals
 Introduction to the laboratory. Propagation of uncertainty theory. Review of vectors and
graphs.
 Experiment 1: Calibration of a thermistor (Example of the zeroth law of thermodynamics
and thermal equilibrium between systems).
 Experiment 2: Thermal expansion of metals (Example of the variation of the physical
properties of matter with temperature).
 Experiment 3: Calorimetry 1 (Determination of the quantity of heat in physical systems).
 Experiment 4: Calorimetry 2 (Example of the first and second laws of thermodynamics)..
Grading:
The professors assigned to this course, together with the course coordinator, will define the
grading criteria based on the evaluation system of the pedagogical project.
Pedagogical strategies:
The professors assigned to this course will, together with the course coordinator, define the
best pedagogical strategies for the course.
Prerequisites:
BIK0102-15 - Structure of matter, BCJ0204-15 - Mechanical phenomena, BCN0402-15 Functions of a single variable.
Required texts:



P. A. Tipler, Physics for scientists and engineers. W. H. Freeman and Company (2004).
D. Halliday, R. Resnick and J. Walker, Fundamentals of physics, Wiley (2008).
R. A. Serway , J. W. Jewett, Physics for scientists and engineers. Brooks-Cole (2013).
Additional texts:
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R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton and M. Sands, The Feynman lectures on physics. AddisonWesley (1977).
D. C. Giancoli, Physics: principles with applications. Addison-Wesley (2004).
R. Freedman, H. D. Young, University Physics, Benjamin-Cummings Pub Co (2004).