Course description and objectives:
The term thermodynamics introduced by Lord Kelvin literally implies a field concerned with the mechanical action produced by heat. The concepts and applications of thermodynamics, however, are not limited to heat engines. In modern science thermodynamics plays central role and provides foundation for all branches of science and engineering, including physics, chemistry, biology, materials science, and geology. Thermodynamics is one of the pre-eminent examples of an exact science. The simple mathematical relationships that are obtained from the laws enable one to derive very large body of mathematical equations that can be used to describe and predict the outcome of many processes. Albert Einstein described the fundamental significance of thermodynamics as follows:
It is the only physical theory of universal content which I am convinced, that within applicability of its basic concepts, will never be overthrown.
In the course we will review the basic thermodynamics and its application for chemical and physical transformations. Statistical mechanics and its use for chemical thermodynamics will be introduced. Applications of chemical thermodynamics in the fields of adsorption, adhesion, self-assembly etc. will be presented. The background assumed is one year of undergraduate Physical Chemistry and enough Mathematics to be able to do differentiation and integration of simple functions.
Text:
Chemical Thermodynamics. Principles and Applications. J. Bevan Ott and J. Boerio-Goates. Academic Press, 2000. ISBN 0125309902.
Course Outline:
| Week | Date | Lecture Topic |
| 1 | 1/13 | Introduction. Thermodynamics picture of the world. Systems, processes, equilibrium. Mathematics of thermodynamics. Partial and Exact Differentials, Euler’s theorem. Derivations of thermodynamics equations using the properties of differentials. |
| 2 | 1/20 | Heat and Work. The First Law of Thermodynamics. Enthalpy. Enthalpy of reaction. Bond enthalpies. Heat Capacities. Application of the First law to gases. |
| 3 | 1/27 | The Second law. Caratheodory principle. Calculation of entropy. The third law, calculation of absolute entropy. |
| 4 | 2/3 | Equilibrium and spontaneity, Gibbs, Helmhotz and Plank functions. Equilibrium constant. |
| 5 | 2/17 | Application of the Gibbs function to chemical changes. |
| 6 | 2/24 | Statistical thermodynamics. Energy levels, Boltzmann distribution law. Partition function. |
| 7 | 3/2 | Midterm Exam (in class, open books) |
| 8 | 3/9 | Spring break |
| 9 | 3/16 | Intermolecular forces Covalent and Coulomb interactions, van der Waals forces. Hydrogen bonding. |
| 10 | 3/23 | Surface thermodynamics, surface tension and surface energy. |
| 11 | 3/30 | Thermodynamics of wetting and adhesion. |
| 12 | 4/6 | Thermodynamics of adsorption/2004 Petersheim Academic Exposition |
| 13 | 4/13 | Thermodynamic properties of water, role of water in biological systems, biomaterials. |
| 14 | 4/20 | Thermodynamics of self-assembly. Micelles, lipid bilayers, cell membranes. |
| 15 | 4/27 |
Students presentation on the selected topics. |
| 16 | 5/4 |
Final Exam (take home) |
Examinations and grading:
The grade will be based on one Midterm and a Final Exam (each 100 pts.), Homework Problem Sets from the text and elsewhere to be handed in (two sets by 50 pts. each) and Student’s Presentation on the application of the concepts of Thermodynamics (based on the paper selected by student from the periodic literature, 50 pts.).
The letter grade will be calculated as follows: A>90%; B>75%; C>65%; D-65%-50%; F<50%.