PHY2023 - Module Description

MODULE TITLE	Thermal Physics					CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	PHY2023		MODULE CONVENER			Dr L.A. Correa

DURATION	TERM	1	2	3	Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)		162
	WEEKS		T2:01-11

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

This module builds on the discussion of thermal properties in the Stage 1 PHY1024 Properties of Matter module, introduces classical thermodynamics and shows how its laws arise naturally from the statistical properties of an ensemble. Real-world examples of the key ideas are presented and their application in later modules such as PHY2024 Condensed Matter I and PHY3070 Stars from Birth to Death is stressed. The concepts developed in this module are further extended in the PHYM001 Statistical Physics module.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

The aim of classical thermodynamics is to describe the states and processes of of systems in terms of macroscopic directly measurable properties. It was largely developed during the Industrial Revolution for practical purposes, such as improving the efficiency the steam-engines, and its famous three laws are empirically based.

The aim of statistical mechanics, which had major contributions from Maxwell, Boltzmann and Gibbs, is to demonstrate that statistical methods can predict the bulk thermal properties of a system from an atomistic description of matter. The theory provides the only tractable means of analysing the almost unimaginable complexity of an N-body system containing 10²³ particles. The classical second law of thermodynamics finds a natural explanation in terms of the evolution of a system from the less probable to the more probable configurations.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

explain the nature of classical entropy, and its relationship to the second law of thermodynamics;
determine the maximum efficiency of simple heat-engines and heat pumps;
calculate the equilibrium energy distribution of a system using the Boltzmann distribution;
explain the origin of the second law from a statistical viewpoint;
describe the significance of various thermodynamic potentials and deduce relations between them;
demonstrate, by calculating certain properties of real gases, an understanding of the limitations of the ideal gas law;
calculate bulk thermodynamic properties such as heat capacity, entropy and free energy from the partition function;
predict whether a gas constitutes a classical or a quantal gas, and explain key differences in the behaviour of these;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

use calculus to calculate maximum and minimun values of constrained multivariable systems;
use graphs and diagrams to illustrate arguments and explanations;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

use a range of resources to develop an understanding of topics through independent study;
solve problems;
apply general concepts to a wide range of specfic systems and situations;
meet deadlines for completion of work for problems classes and develop appropriate time-management strategies.

SYLLABUS PLAN – summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Introduction
1. Brief historical survey.
Basic Thermodynamics
1. Temperature: thermodynamic equilibrium and the Zeroth Law; temperature and heat.
2. Ideal gases: quasistatic and reversible processes; reversible work.
3. Internal energy: adiabatic work; equivalence of work and heat; the First Law.
4. Thermal engines: the Second Law; heat-engine cycle analysis; Carnot's theorem.
5. Entropy: Clausius theorem; entropy; maximum-entropy principle.
Advanced Thermodynamics
1. Thermodynamic potentials
  1. Energetic potentials, Legendre transform, Maxwell relations.
  2. Entropic potentials, physical interpretations, stability.
2. Real gases: Joule–Thomson expasion; the van der Waals gas.
3. Phase transitions
  1. Theory of saturated vapours.
  2. Clapeyron's equations, classification of phase transitions.
4. Nernst's postulate: the Third Law; unattainability principle.
Statistical Mechanics
1. Boltzmann's principle
  1. Non-interacting gases, statistical entropy, the partition function.
  2. Connection with thermodynamics, Boltzmann's factor, the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution.
2. Specific heat: The monoatomic and diatomic ideal gas.
3. Quantum gases
  1. Bose–Einstein and Fermi–Dirac statistics.
  2. Planck's radiation law, the electron-gas model.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

33 hours

Guided independent study

117 hours

Placement/study abroad

0 hours

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS