PHYS 350 Thermodynamics Spring 2014

Text: An Introduction to Thermal Physics, D. V. Schroeder (2000)

Professor: Dr. Mesgun Sebhatu, Sims 203: Office hrs: 11-12 TR . Available at other times by appointment

E-mail: sebhatum@winthrop.edu Tel: Office=323-4935; Home=324-1254

Brief description of the course: PHYS 350 is an intermediate level thermal physics course primarily intended for chemistry, math, computer science and pre-engineering majors who have had one year of physics and calculus. It can also benefit life science students who meet the prerequisite. Thermodynamics deals with the transformations of energy such as heat(thermal energy) into mechanical, electrical, chemical, etc. It also deals with the effect of heat and/or temperature on various systems and bulk matter. Thermodynamics has its origins in the development of heat engines. The heat engine approach can be extended to various systems including living organisms. Classical thermodynamics deals with matter in bulk. i.e,. large scale. This is called a macroscopic view. A more fundamental approach is to study matter at the atomic or molecular level using statistics. This is a microscopic view. It is the approach taken by statistical mechanics.

In PHYS 350 a balanced treatment of classical thermodynamics(macroscopic) and statistical mechanics (microscopic) will be followed. The course covers the laws of thermodynamics (0th, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd ) and their applications to real world problems in chemistry, engineering, electronics, astrophysics, and everyday life.

The major objective of the course is to introduce students to the laws of thermodynamics using both macroscopic and microscopic approaches and provide them with the necessary conceptual and analytical skill to deal with a variety of thermodynamic systems in various fields as well as everyday life.

PHYS 350  is being offered as an independent study course. Class meets one hour a week in Sims 203 and/or 205 to answer questions and help solve assigned weekly problems. Students who take intermediate level physics courses as independent study, are highly motivated and are expected to study and work hard on thier own with some guidance form the instructor. My role will be more of a tutor and not a lecturer.

The approach I use for independent study courses is to be a guide on the side rather than a sage on the stage.

Tentative Course Outline and Test Schedule:

A. Ch.1, Energy and Thermal Physics (0th and 1st Law of Thermodynamics)

Appendix A Elements of Quantum Mechanics

Test #1:  Tuesday  Feb. 18

Study Guide for  Part A


B. Ch.2, The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics;

Ch. 3, Interactions and Implications (3rd Law of Thermodynamics)

Test #2:  Tuesday , March 11

Study Guide for  Part B.


C. Ch 4, Engines and Refrigerators;

Ch 5, Free Energy and Chemical Thermodynamics.

Test #3: Tuesday, April,  15

Stufy Guide for Part C.


D. Ch 6, Boltzman Statistics;

Ch 7, Quantum Statistics

Test #4: Friday,  Tuesday, April 29.



Computation of Final Grades : The best three test grades will contribute 17 % each (total from tests = 51%). Homework grades will contribute 20%.

75% (Tests) +25% (Homework) 

Even though class grade distribution may affect the assignment of the letter grades, usually

above 90% is an "A", 80% - 89% is a "B", 70% - 79% is a "C", 60% - 69% is a "D", and below 60% is an "F".

Makeup Tests: If a student misses one test, he obtains a "0" for it and loses the opportunity to have his worst test score dropped. It will be dangerous to miss more than one test. There are no provisions for makeup tests under normal circumstances.

Class Attendance Policy: The attendance policy followed in this course is the same as that which appears in the current Winthrop University Catalog. Briefly, "If a student's absences in a course total 25% or more of the class meetings for the course, the student will receive a grade of N, F, or U, which ever is appropriate." Please read your catalog for details. This is a class with less than 10 students. The professor will know every student by name and know who is absent immediately. Students who leave early or come excessively late for reasons that are not clear to the instructor may be marked absent. Student who take 3xx level courses are expected to be matured, serious, and hard working.