Time Schedule:
Subramanian Ramachandran
PHYS 224
Seattle Campus
Introduces heat, thermodynamics, elementary kinetic theory, and statistical physics. Prerequisite: either MATH 126 or MATH 136, which may be taken concurrently; PHYS 122, which may be taken concurrently. Offered: ASpS.
Class description
The course will cover equations of state, specifically for an ideal gas, thermodynamic phase diagram, statistical methods to describe a microcanonical ensemble, thermodynamics of cyclical processes and inhomogenous reactions, state variables, and Boltzmann statistics.
Student learning goals
Understand the fundamental origins of physical quantities such as temperature and pressure and how it is derived from state variables.
Understand the laws of thermodynamics, and in particular reference to the second law, appreciate the importance of entropy.
Be able to calculate the heat of reaction from enthalpy at standard states
Apply principles of thermodynamics to ideal and non-ideal cyclical processes.
Describe phase transitions in states of matter including magnetic phase transitions
Apply the principles studied to solve problems in thermal physics
General method of instruction
In-class demonstrations will be used to reinforce the concepts studied. Most of the lecture will involve use of balckboard. Students will be encouraged to participate with questions and answers. Powerpoint presentation will be used as a teaching aid.
Recommended preparation
Introcudtory calculus and introductory physics - may be taken concurrently
Class assignments and grading
Homework problesm will be assigned from the prescribed text books. There may be multiple choice questions as well as problems that involve calculations.
The grades will be based on a curve with a certain minimum threshold established for an A grade. Weights are assigned to each component.
