FYS-1346 Thermal Physics, 5 cr
Additional information
Lectured every second year
Person responsible
Jyrki Mäkelä
Lessons
| Implementation | Period | Person responsible | Requirements |
| FYS-1346 2019-01 | 3 - 4 |
Jyrki Mäkelä |
The total mark is determined based on a final exam, class exercises and assignments, and the student's activity in exercise classes and group projects: 1) Lectures. There will be 24 double lectures. They are intended to give an essential introduction to the concepts and methods used in thermal physics. 2) Class exercise sessions. There are 12 class exercise sessions, for getting familiar with the topics and practicing problem solving techniques. 3) Each week there is one special assignment problem to be solved and submitted in written form prior to exercise session. |
Learning Outcomes
After completing the course the student will recognize and is able to describe the fundamental phenomena in thermal physics, based on both classical thermodynamics and modern statistical study of systems consisting of atoms. The student is familiar with fundamental laws of thermodynamics, (s)he understands how conservation of energy applies to central areas of thermodynamics, and what type of phenomena are often limited by the second law. The student is able to solve problems by applying rather independently the example solution models in problems dealing with thermal physics, heat engines, entropy and chemical potentials. To assist the solutions of the problems, the student can also compile graphs describing the basic processes, and solve analytical problems. After the course the student will possess sufficient skills for studying statistical physics, solid state physics and other courses of physics major.
Content
| Content | Core content | Complementary knowledge | Specialist knowledge |
| 1. | Concepts of energy and temperature. The first law of thermodynamics and conservation of energy. | ||
| 2. | Basics of heat transfer. | ||
| 3. | The second law of thermodynamics and entropy. | ||
| 4. | Physics of heat engines vs. laws of thermodynamics. | ||
| 5. | Basics of chemical thermodynamics. |
Instructions for students on how to achieve the learning outcomes
The assessment of the course is based mostly on the written exam. Approval requires half of the maximum points from specific exercises, submitted in written form. It is possible to elevate the grading with additional activity in the (oral) class exercises.
Assessment scale:
Numerical evaluation scale (0-5)
Study material
| Type | Name | Author | ISBN | URL | Additional information | Examination material |
| Book | Concepts in Thermal Physics | Blundell, S.J. and Blundell, K.M. | 9780199562091 | Oxford University Press | Yes | |
| Other online content | Powerpoint-presentations from Lectures | J. Mäkelä | Will be distributed via Moodle2 | Yes |
Correspondence of content
| Course | Corresponds course | Description |
| FYS-1346 Thermal Physics, 5 cr | FYS-1340 Thermal Physics, 5 cr |