Approved by Faculty Senate.

University Studies Course Approval

Department or Program: ___Physics________________________________

Course Number: 345

Course Title: __Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics________________

Catalog Description: 345 – Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics - 4 s.h.

Equation of state, first and second law, entropy, equilibrium, reversible and irreversible

processes, heat engines, probability distributions, statistical representation of entropy,

quantum fluids. Prerequisites: PHYS 202 or PHYS 221 and Math 165. Offered every

two years

 

This is an existing course that has previously been approved by A2C2 _X__.

OR This is a new course proposal _____. (If this is a new course proposal, the WSU Curriculum Approval

Form must also be completed as in the process prescribed by WSU Regulation 3-4.)

Department Contact Person for this course: Richard Shields________________

Email: rshields@winona.edu____

The proposed course is designed to satisfy the requirements in (select one area only):

Course Requirements:

A. Basic Skills:

______ 1. College Reading and Writing

______ 2. Oral Communication

______ 3. Mathematics

______ 4. Physical Development and Wellness

B. Arts & Sciences Core:

______ 1. Humanities

______ 2. Natural Science

______ 3. Social Science

______ 4. Fine & Performing Arts

C. Unity and Diversity:

 

______ 1. Critical Analysis

______ 2. Science and Social Policy

______ 3. a. Global Perspectives

______ b. Multicultural Perspectives

______ 4. a. Contemporary Citizenship

______ b. Democratic Institutions

Flagged Courses:

______ 1. Writing

______ 2. Oral

__X__ 3. a. Mathematics/ Statistics

______ b. Critical Analysis

 

Approval/Disapproval Recommendations

 

Department Recommendation: Approved_____ Disapproved____ Date:______

Chairperson Signature_______________________ Date______

 

Dean's Recommendation: Approved_____ Disapproved ____* Date:______

Dean's Signature_______________________ Date______

*In the case of a Dean's recommendation to disapprove a proposal a written rationale for the recommendation to disapprove shall be provided to USS

 

USS Recommendation: Approved_____ Disapproved____ Date:______

University Studies Director's Signature_______________________ Date______

 

A2C2 Recommendation: Approved_____ Disapproved_____ Date:______

A2C2 Chairperson Signature_______________________ Date______

 

Faculty Senate Recommendation: Approved_____ Disapproved____ Date:______

FA President's Signature_______________________ Date______

 

Academic Vice President's Recommendation: Approved____ Disapproved____ Date:______

VP's Signature_______________________ Date______

 

President's Decision: Approved_____ Disapproved____ Date:______

President's Signature_______________________ Date______

1. Outcomes for Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

These courses must include requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to...

a. practice the correct application of mathematical or statistical models that are appropriate to their prerequisite knowledge of those areas; and

Thermodynamics is the study of heat energy. Mathematical models are presented for a simple ideal gas up to an internal combustion engine. Students will use the models to solve homework problems and questions on exams.

b. make proper use of modern mathematical or statistical methods appropriate to their level of prerequisite knowledge, to include, if statistics is used in a substantive way, the use of a statistical package with graphics capability when appropriate.

In second part of course, statistical physics is studied. The rules of statistics are applied to the distribution of atoms in a gas or solid.

2. Course Outline

Physics 345 - Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

University Studies - Mathematical/Statistics Flag

These courses must include requirements and learning activities that promote students' abilities to.

a. practice the correct application of mathematical or statistical models that are appropriate to their prerequisite knowledge of those areas; and

b. make proper use of modern mathematical or statistical methods appropriate to their level of prerequisite knowledge, to include, if statistics is used in a substantive way, the use of a statistical package with graphics capability when appropriate.

Text: Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics, Second Edition, Herbert Callen

I. Classical Thermodynamics (Objective a)

A. Basics Concepts and Definitions

B. The First Law of Thermodynamics

1. Concept of Work

2. Conservation of Energy

3. State Postulate and Simple System

4 Enthalpy and Specific Heat

C. Ideal Gas

1. Equations of State

2. Internal Energy, Enthalpy and Specific Heat Relations

3. Energy Analysis of Closed System

D. Control-Volume Energy Analysis

E. The Second Law and Entropy

1. Heat Engines

2. Carnot's Principle

3. Entropy

F. Consequences of the Second Law

1. Entropy changes for ideal gas

2. Availability and Irreversibilty

G. Transient Flow Analysis

H. Gas Power Cycles

1. Air Standard Cycle

2. Diesel and Otto Cycle

3. Gas Turbine

II. Statistical Thermodynamics (Objective a and b)

A. Statistical Physics Formalism

1. Entropy

2. Probability Distribution

3. Internal Modes in a gas

4. Ideal gas

B Entropy and Disorder

1. Entropy as a Measure of Disorder

2. The Grand Canonical Formalism

C. Quantum Fluids

1. The ideal Fermi Fluid

2. The ideal Bose Fluid