Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students should be able to:
1. explain the concepts of heat and temperature and relate the temperature scales;
2. define, derive, and apply the fundamental thermodynamic relations to thermal systems;
3. describe and explain the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and the concept of
entropy;
4. state the assumptions of the kinetic theory and apply techniques of describing macroscopic
behaviour;
5. deduce the formalism of thermodynamics and apply it to simple systems in thermal
equilibrium; and
6. describe and determine the effect of forces and deformation of materials and surfaces.
Course Contents
Heat and temperature (temperature scales). Gas laws. General gas equation. Thermal
conductivity. First Law of thermodynamics (heat, work and internal energy, reversibility).
Thermodynamic processes (adiabatic, isothermal, isobaric). Second law of thermodynamics (heat
engines and entropy). Zero’s law of thermodynamics. Kinetic theory of gases. Molecular collisions
and mean free path. Elasticity (Hooke’s law, Young’s, shear and bulk moduli). Hydrostatics
(Pressure, buoyancy, Archimedes’ principles). Bernoulli’s equation and incompressible fluid flow.
Surface tension (adhesion, cohesion, viscosity, capillarity, drops and bubbles).
