Program Overview

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General Physics: Thermodynamics

The objective of the General Physics course is to provide the basic notions necessary for understanding physical phenomena. The goal is achieved when it is possible to quantitatively predict the consequences of these phenomena with appropriate theoretical tools.

Course Content

The following topics will be covered, in an order chosen by each teacher:

• Thermodynamic system, state variable, state function, historical perspective
• First principle
• Second principle
• Thermodynamic cycles
• Diffusion equation, heat transfer, Fourier's law, diffusion (one-dimensional)
• Perfect gas, kinetic theory of gases
• Statistics: Boltzmann formula
• Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution function, equipartition principle, calculation of specific heats
• Van der Waals gas and phase transitions

Additional Topics

The course may also cover the following topics:

• Complements of mechanics (if not treated in the first semester or in general physics 2nd year), such as restricted relativity or Lagrangian mechanics
• Thermodynamic potentials
• Chemical potential and chemical reactions
• Thermodynamics of non-equilibrium processes (Onsager, Eckart, Prigogine, ...), modeling of transport phenomena

Keywords

General physics, thermodynamics, equation of state, thermodynamic cycle, heat engine, energy, entropy

Required Skills

Prerequisite Courses

Indicative teaching program in general physics

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, the student should be able to:

• Develop a physical model of a thermodynamic system
• Demonstrate know-how by solving problems
• Formulate simplifying hypotheses to describe an experiment
• Identify and use theoretical models that describe nature
• Estimate orders of magnitude
• Relate course concepts to everyday observations

Transversal Skills

• Use an appropriate work methodology, organize one's work

Teaching Method

Lectures, quizzes, classroom exercises, and personal work

Evaluation Method

Written exam

Resources

• Thermodynamics, J.P. Pérez, Masson Ed.

Library Resources

• Find the reference in the library

Programs

The course is part of the following programs:

• Civil Engineering, Bachelor semester 2
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: General physics: thermodynamics
  • Courses: 3 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 3 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory
• Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Bachelor semester 2
  • Semester: Spring
  • Exam form: Written (summer session)
  • Subject examined: General physics: thermodynamics
  • Courses: 3 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Exercises: 3 hours per week x 14 weeks
  • Type: mandatory

Reference Week

The course schedule is as follows: | Mo | Tu | We | Th | Fr | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 8-9 | | | | |
| 9-10 | | | | |
| 10-11 | | | | |
| 11-12 | | | | |
| 12-13 | | | | |
| 13-14 | | | | |
| 14-15 | | | | |
| 15-16 | | | | |
| 16-17 | | | | |
| 17-18 | | | | |
| 18-19 | | | | |
| 19-20 | | | | |
| 20-21 | | | | |
| 21-22 | | | | |

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