| CODE | GSC1405 | ||||||
| TITLE | Classical Thermodynamics for Geoscientists | ||||||
| UM LEVEL | 01 - Year 1 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 6 | ||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Geosciences | ||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The main objective of the study-unit is to introduce and give grounding in thermodynamics (and kinetic theory). Consequently, the aims of the study-unit are the following: - introduce the students to different scientific views of nature - familiarise the students with the concept of thermodynamic equilibrium, the zeroth law of thermodynamics and temperature scales - introduce the first and second law of thermodynamics, with applications - convey the concept of state of a thermodynamic system, and consequently that of the equation of state - familiarise the students with the concept of entropy and the TdS equations, including applications - introduce the concept of thermodynamic potentials and employ it to introduce the Gibbs-Helmholtz equations - discuss Maxwell's Relations - provide the students with (qualitative, quantitate and analytical) knowledge concerning phase transitions and Clausius-Clapeyron equations - introduce the third law of thermodynamics and Planck's hypothesis - introduce the basic concept of flux, molecular flux in particular - discuss the ideal gas equation of state from a molecular point of view - introduce the concept of degrees of freedom and equipartition of energy - discuss a basic version of the classical theory of the specific heat capacity of materials, gases in particular - introduce the concept of intermolecular forces and Van der Waals equation of state - discuss the concept of mean free path - familiarise the students with applications of the theory Study-Unit Aims: The main objective of the study-unit is to introduce and give grounding in thermodynamics (and kinetic theory). Consequently, the aims of the study-unit are the following: - introduce the students to different scientific views of nature - familiarise the students with the concept of thermodynamic equilibrium, the zeroth law of thermodynamics and temperature scales - introduce the first and second law of thermodynamics, with applications - convey the concept of state of a thermodynamic system, and consequently that of the equation of state - familiarise the students with the concept of entropy and the TdS equations, including applications - introduce the concept of thermodynamic potentials and employ it to introduce the Gibbs-Helmholtz equations - discuss Maxwell's Relations - provide the students with (qualitative, quantitate and analytical) knowledge concerning phase transitions and Clausius-Clapeyron equations - introduce the third law of thermodynamics and Planck's hypothesis - introduce the basic concept of flux, molecular flux in particular - discuss the ideal gas equation of state from a molecular point of view - introduce the concept of degrees of freedom and equipartition of energy - discuss a basic version of the classical theory of the specific heat capacity of materials, gases in particular - introduce the concept of intermolecular forces and Van der Waals equation of state - discuss the concept of mean free path - familiarise the students with applications of the theory Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - explain the four laws of thermodynamics (as well as Planck's hypothesis) and their applications - recall and apply ideas concerning temperature, thermodynamic equilibrium, thermodynamic state and thermodynamic system (including the concept of the equation of state), with particular emphasis on the ideal gas case - recall and apply the concept of entropy, especially with regard to the TdS equations (and their applications) - explain thermodynamic potentials, Gibbs-Helmholtz equations and Maxwell's Relations - explain phase transitions and Clausius-Clapeyron equations - recall and apply concepts from kinetic theory, notably, molecular flux, degrees of freedom, equipartition of energy and intermolecular forces - discuss the classical theory of the specific heat capacity of materials, gases in particular - apply the ideal gas equation of state, and that for a Van der Waals gas - explain the concept of mean free path - solve problems in thermodynamics and kinetic theory 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - discuss basic, classical thermodynamics and kinetic theory - recognise how one area of science/physics can contribute to the understanding of another, i.e., geosciences - solve problems of relevance Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - Finn C. B. P. Thermal Physics. Physics and Its Applications, Vol. 5. Second Edition. Chapman and Hall. Published December 12, 2019. ISBN-13: 978-0412495406 Supplementary Readings: - Sears F.W. and Salinger G.L. Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory and Statistical Thermodynamics. Principles of Physics Series. Third Edition. Addison Wesley Publ. Co. ISBN-13: 978-020106894X - Blundell S. J. and Blundell K. M. Concepts in Thermal Physics. Second edition. Oxford University Press. ISBN-13: 978-0199562107. Notes: -The first book (by Sears and Salinger) listed in the Supplementary Reading, is somewhat dated (and out-of-print); nevertheless, it is very relevant for some parts of the study-unit. - The one by Blundell and Blundell, listed in the Supplementary Reading, can be used in lieu of the main textbook. - The lecturer will provide all students with a comprehensive set of lecture notes (downloadable from the VLE for the study-unit), as well as a problem sheet. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | Pre-requisite Qualifications:Mathematics at Intermediate Level Co-requisite Study-units: GSC1005 Mathematics for Geoscientists |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Tutorial | ||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Alfred Micallef |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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