The course begins with an introduction to basic concepts as temperature, thermal equilibrium, work, heat, heat capacity and enthalpy. A statistical approach is applied to some simple model systems in order to introduce the second law of thermodynamics formulated in terms of the entropy. Heat engines and refrigerators are discussed as well as internal combustion engines and steam engines. Finally, the concept of free energy is introduced and applied to phase transformations.
Required Knowledge
Classical Mechanics, or equivalent. A first course in multi-variable analysis.
Schroeder Daniel V. An introduction to thermal physics San Francisco : Addison Wesley : cop. 2000 : x, 422 s. : ISBN: 0-201-38027-7 Search the University Library catalogue
Schroeder Daniel V. An introduction to thermal physics Pearson new international edition. : Harlow, Essex : Pearson : [2014] : ii, 331 pages : ISBN: 9781292026213 Search the University Library catalogue
Schroeder Daniel V. An introduction to thermal physics San Francisco : Addison Wesley : cop. 2000 : x, 422 s. : ISBN: 0-201-38027-7 Search the University Library catalogue
Schroeder Daniel V. An introduction to thermal physics San Francisco : Addison Wesley : cop. 2000 : x, 422 s. : ISBN: 0-201-38027-7 Mandatory Search the University Library catalogue