Table of Contents

Course Overview

The Energy and Entropy Paradigm introduces both classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, with an information theory emphasis. This course is designed to follow the interlude course that presents a series of mathematical techniques necessary to solve numerous thermodynamics problems including work with partial derivatives, total differentials, exact and inexact differentials, and the cyclic chain rule. In the beginning of the course, students will be introduced to the terminology necessary to understand thermodynamic processes. The course will then present the first and second thermodynamic laws. Utilizing the techniques learned in the interlude, students will use the first thermodynamic law, in conjunction with Legendre Transforms, to derive Maxwell's relations. Throughout Energy and Entropy, the class will frequently be placed in small groups and asked to physically present how thermodynamic partial derivatives could be measured (see name the experiment). These activities collaborate with the integrated laboratory exercises to present thermodynamics with a physically observable approach. After working with classical thermodynamics, the course provides an introduction to statistical mechanics, exposing students to the concepts of maximum fairness and the probability of microstates. The course concludes with a culmination of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics in a calculation of the total internal energy of a diatomic gas.

Course Goals

Students will be able to:
Previous 3-week E&E Goals:

Sample Syllabus

Textbook

An Introduction to Thermal Physics - Daniel V. Schroeder

Alternative text:

Thermal Physics Concepts and Practice - Allen Wassermann

Sample Syllabus

Course Webpage Spring 2014

Course Content

This link will take you to the original version of the Energy and Entropy page.

Unit: Math Bits

  • Differentials
  • Zapping with d
    • Surfaces Activity: Covariation in Thermal Systems
  • QUIZ
  • Small Group Activity: Exploring the Partial Derivative Machine
  • Contour Graphs
  • Surfaces Activity: Thermodynamic States
  • Small Group Activity: Exploring the Partial Derivative Machine
  • Partial Derivative Machine dictionary
  • dU
  • Numerical Integration
  • Surfaces Activity: Quantifying Change in Thermal Systems
  • Chain Rules
    • Small Group Activity: PDM Derivatives
  • Chain Rule Diagrams
  • Surfaces Activity: “Squishability” of Water Vapor

Unit: First Law of Thermodynamics

  • Lab: Ice Calorimetry Lab
  • SWBQ: Comparing Thermodynamic Properties
  • Lecture: Dulong and Petit Rule
Hour 9: The first law
  • QUIZ
  • Activity: Comparing the System and Surroundings
  • Lectures: Jargon
    • Intensive and Extensive
    • T, S, V, p, U
    • Work, Heat
    • The First Law
  • Lecture: Snapping a Rubber Band
  • Thermodynamic Identity
  • Name the Experiment I
  • Heat Capacity
  • Lab: Ice Lab II

FIXME : This should go somewhere around here once things get rearranged:

  • Heat Capacity of Water Vapor
Hour 12: Mechanical cycles FIXME Needs Content
  • Elevators
  • Small Group Activity: The Elevator Cycle
Hour 13: Heat, work, and processes FIXME Needs Prereqs
  • Work
  • Heat
  • Using $p V$ and $T S$ Plots
Hour 14: A simple cycle FIXME Needs Prereqs
  • Analyzing a Simple Curve
Hour 15: Holiday

Unit: Internal Energy

  • Quiz
  • Name the Experiment II (Heat and/or First Law)
Hour 17: The second law FIXME Needs Prereqs
  • Lectures: Jargon
    • Second Law
    • Reversible and Irreversible
    • Adiabatic
    • Quasistatic
  • Free expansion not-quiz
  • Discussion of not-quiz
Hours 19-20: Legendre Transformations FIXME Needs Prereqs
  • Maxwell Relations
  • Maxwell Relation Activities
  • Name The Experiment III
  • QUIZ
  • Lab: Rubber Band Lab
  • Sometimes Always Never
Hours 26-28: Holiday

Unit: Statistical Mechanics

  • QUIZ
  • Fairness Function and Probability
  • Maximizing S
  • Lagrange Multipliers
  • Weighted Averages
  • Derive Boltzman Ratio and connect to Thermo ($U = \sum p_iE_i$)
Hour 32: Free
  • Free
  • Diatomic Gas
Hour 35: Review
  • Review

FIXME

  1. (HotMetal) No HW problem by this name on archive.

Activities Included