Study information

Thermal Physics - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEThermal Physics CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHY2023 MODULE CONVENERDr Luis A. Correa (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 162
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
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.
 
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)
 
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. explain the nature of classical entropy, and its relationship to the second law of thermodynamics;
2. determine the maximum efficiency of simple heat-engines and heat pumps;
3. calculate the equilibrium energy distribution of a system using the Boltzmann distribution;
4. explain the origin of the second law from a statistical viewpoint;
5. describe the significance of various thermodynamic potentials and deduce relations between them;
6. demonstrate, by calculating certain properties of real gases, an understanding of the limitations of the ideal gas law;
7. calculate bulk thermodynamic properties such as heat capacity, entropy and free energy from the partition function;
8. 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:
9. use calculus to calculate maximum and minimun values of constrained multivariable systems;
10. use graphs and diagrams to illustrate arguments and explanations;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
11. use a range of resources to develop an understanding of topics through independent study;
12. solve problems;
13. apply general concepts to a wide range of specfic systems and situations;
14. 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
I. Introduction
  1. Brief historical survey.
II. 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.
III. Advanced Thermodynamics
  1. Thermodynamic potentials
    • Energetic potentials, Legendre transform, Maxwell relations.
    • Entropic potentials, physical interpretations, stability.
  2. Real gases: Joule–Thomson expasion; the van der Waals gas.
  3. Phase transitions
    • Theory of saturated vapours.
    • Clapeyron's equations, classification of phase transitions.
  4. Nernst's postulate: the Third Law; unattainability principle.
IV. Statistical Mechanics
  1. Boltzmann's principle
    • Non-interacting gases, statistical entropy, the partition function.
    • Connection with thermodynamics, Boltzmann's factor, the Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution.
  2. Specific heat: The monoatomic and diatomic ideal gas.
  3. Quantum gases
    • Bose–Einstein and Fermi–Dirac statistics.
    • 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 Guided Independent Study 117 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 22 hours 22×1-hour lectures
Guided independent study
 30 hours 5×6-hour self-study packages
Guided independent study
 16 hours 8×2-hour problems sets
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 8 hours Problems class support
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 3 hours Tutorial support
Guided independent study
 71 hours Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Exercises set by tutor (0%) 3×1-hour sets (typical) (Scheduled by tutor) 1-14 Discussion in tutorials
Guided self-study (0%) 5×6-hour packages (Fortnightly) 1-14 Discussion in tutorials
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 10 Written Exams 90 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
8 × Problems sets 10% 2 hours per set (weekly) 1-14 Marked in problems class, then discussed in tutorials
Mid-term Test 15% 30 minutes (Term 2, Week 6) 1-13 Marked, then discussed in tutorials
Examination 75% 120 minutes (May/June assessment period) 1-13 Mark via MyExeter, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Whole module Written examination (100%) 1-13 August/September assessment period

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
An original assessment that is based on both examination and coursework, tests, etc., is considered as a single element for the purpose of referral; i.e., the referred mark is based on the referred examination only, discounting all previous marks. In the event that the mark for a referred assessment is lower than that of the original assessment, the original higher mark will be retained.
 
Physics Modules with PHY Codes
Referred examinations will only be available in PHY3064, PHYM004 and those other modules for which the original assessment includes an examination component - this information is given in individual module descriptors.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
ELE:
 
 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Blundell, S. J. and K. M. Blundell Concepts in Thermal Physics 2nd Oxford University Press 2010 978-0-191-71823-6
Extended Fermi, E. Thermodynamics Prentice-Hall 1956 978-0-486-60361-2
Extended Sommerfeld, A. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics Academic Press 1964 0-126-54680-0
Extended Zemanski, M. W. and R. H. Dittman Heat and Thermodynamics : An Intermediate Textbook 6th McGraw-Hill 1981 0-070-72808-9
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES PHY1024, PHY1026
CO-REQUISITE MODULES PHY2025
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 5 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 15th December 2011 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Thermodynamics; Properties; Heat; Energy; System; State; Distribution; Boltzmann; Entropy; Functions.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.