Physics 431 (831)  Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 9:30-10:20 A BL 202

Instructor: Christian Binek

203 Ferguson Hall

Phone: 2-5231

E-mail: cbinek2@unl.edu

Office Hours: drop in or make an appointment

 

Brief overview:

This course gives an introduction into the field of thermodynamics. Thermodynamics started as the science dealing with the transformation of heat into mechanical work and vice versa. However, as the subject developed, its scope became much broader. Today, thermodynamics is the science concerned with the macroscopic or large-scale properties of matter in general. The thermodynamic relations, for instance the relation between the heat capacity measured at constant pressure and the heat capacity determined at constant volume, are derived from a small number of principles which are generalizations of experimental experiences. The powerful methods studied in this course have broad applications in varies fields of science and engineering ranging from the design of internal combustion engines to the understanding of basic material properties. The results of thermodynamics are fundamental and probably more widely used throughout science and engineering than any other theory.

If you need evidence for the usefulness of the course contents watch the movie http://ucommdev.unl.edu/energycenter/downloads/MagneticCooling_Binek.mov presenting the way how one of my own research projects benefits from those insights we will gain in this course:

A rough outline of what we intend to cover this semester:

1.       Introductory remarks and basic concepts

2.       First Law of Thermodynamics

3.       Mathematical Background and Applications

3.1 Partial Derivatives

3.2 Application of the Thermodynamic Notation

3.3 The Simple Solid

3.4 Thermal Expansion and Bulk Modulus

3.5 Relationships between Partial Derivatives

4.       Equilibrium Processes in Gases

4.1 Processes in Ideal Gases

4.2 Change in Temperature with Elevation

4.3 Cyclic Processes

5.       Reversible and irreversible Processes

6.       Second Law of Thermodynamics

6.1 Kelvin and Clausius Statements

6.2 Carnotīs Theorem

6.3 Absolute Temperature

6.4 Differentials

6.5 Entropy

6.6 Thermodynamic Potentials

  1. Phase Transitions
  2. Kinetic theory (only if there is sufficient time left)

 

Classes begin                                     24 August

Last day of classes                            11 December

Labor Day (student and staff holiday)      7 September

Fall Semester Break (student holiday)     19-20 October

Student holiday                                    25 November

Thanksgiving Vacation                      25-29 November

Homework:  Homework is due a week from the day of assignment

 

Exams:

Midterm Test1                                     2 October (Friday)

Midterm Test2                                     11 November (Wednesday)

Final Exam                                          15 December  (10:00 to 12:00 noon Tuesday)

 

Final grade:

Homework                  30%

Midterm Test1            20%

Midterm Test2            20%

Final Exam                 30%

Text:

Robert J. Hardy, Fundamental Thermal Physics (University of Nebraska-Lincoln) available in the Department’s main office: Brace 116
Phone: (402) 472-9220 or 2770, e-mail: tsis3@.unl.edu


Further references:

F. W. Sears and G.L. Salinger Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, and Statistical  Thermodynamics (Massachusetts, Addison-Wesley 1975)

 

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