81783 - Thermodynamics (A-L)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires a fundamental knowledge of classical thermodynamic and its microscopic interpretation. Basic hints of kinetic theory of gases and statistical thermodynamic will be provided. The student will be able to apply these general concepts to solve problems of thermal phenomena at equilibrium.

Course contents

1. Introduction
   1. From few particle systems to macroscopic systems
   2. The thermodynamic limit
   3. Thermodynamic systems and coordinates; hydrostatic systems.
   4. Thermodynamic equilibrium and thermodynamic trasformations
   5. Pressure in fluids in equilibrium
2. Il principio zero e la temperatura
   1. Zeroth principle
   2. Concept of temperature
   3. Measurement of temperature
   4. Ideal gas thermometer
   5. Thermodynamic transformations, thermostats
3. Sistemi termodinamici
   1. Ideal gases
   2. Real gases
   3. Phase diagrams for pure substrances
   4. Differential state variations
      1. Mathematical theorems
      2. Hydrostatic systems: Thermal expansion and Compressibility
   5. Stretched wire
   6. Surfaces
   7. Paramagnetic materials
   8. Extensive and intensive coordinates
   9. Thermodynamic work
4. Kinetic theory of the ideal gas
   1. Microscopic intepretation of temperature
   2. Equipartition of energy
   3. Distribution of molecular velocities
   4. Mean free path
5. First principle and heat
   1. Adiabatic work
   2. Heat and first principle
      1. Joule’s experiment
   3. Thermal capacity
   4. Molar heat capacity for hydrostatic systems, enthalpy
   5. Latent heat
   6. Calorimetry
      1. Mixture calorimeter
      2. Bunsen’s calorimeter
   7. Internal energy of ideal and real gasses
   8. Adiabatic tranformation of gasses
   9. Molar heat capacity of solids and molecules
6. Transmission of heat
   1. Conduction
   2. Convection
   3. Irradiation

7. Second principle and entropy
   1. The “arrow of time”
   2. Thermal engines and the conversion of heat into work; Kelvin – Planck statement.
   3. Refrigerators and Clausius statement
   4. Equivalence of the two statements
   5. Carnot cycle and theorem
      1. Carnot cycle for paramagnetic materials
   6. Absolute thermodynamic temperature
   7. Efficiency of thermal engines and refrigerators; real engines
   8. Examples of thermal engines
      1. Heron of Alexandria’s Aeolipile
      2. Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine (1664 – 1729)
      3. James Watt’s steam engine (1736 – 1819)
      4. Stirling engine and cycle (1790 – 1878)
      5. Four stroke engine – Otto cycle (Nikolaus Otto, 1832 – 1891)
      6. Diesel engine (Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel, 1858 – 1913)
   9. Clausius’s theoream and entropy
   10. Entropy in selected cases.
       1. Adiabatic free expansion of an ideal gas; Gibbs paradox.
       2. Heat exchange.
       3. Ideal gas
       4. Real gas
       5. Condensed Matter
       6. Phase change
   11. Trace of a thermodynamic transformation. Principle of increase of entropy. Degradation of energy.
   12. Fundamental thermodynamic relation. plane.
8. Thermodynamic potentials
   1. Introduction
   2. Internal energy
   3. Enthalpy
      1. Throttling
   4. Helmholtz free energy
   5. Gibbs free energy
      1. Clausius – Clapeyron equation
   6. Open systems and the chemical potential
      1. Conditions for thermodynamic equilibrium
      2. Gibbs phase rule
   7. Summary on thermodynamic potentials and Maxwell equations
   8. equations
   9. Internal energy equations
   10. General equation

9. Third principle
   1. Introduction: the absolute value of entropy
   2. Nernst and Planck statements.
   3. Consequences of the third principle: low temperature physics
      1. Heat capacity
      2. Thermal expansion coefficient
      3. Gasses at low temperature
      4. Curie’s las for paramagnetic materials
      5. First order phase transitions
10. Elements of statistical mechanics
    1. Macrostates and microstates
       1. Limit of microstates distribution for
       2. Ideal gas: distribution of microstates in coordinate subspace
    2. Entropy in statistical mechanics

Readings/Bibliography

Basic textbook

S. Focardi, I. Massa, A. Uguzzoni, M. Villa, "Fisica Generale - Meccanica e Termodinamica, seconda edizione", CEA.

Complementary textbooks

M. W. Zemansky, Calore e Termodinamica", Zanichelli.

P. Mazzoldi, M. Nigro, C. Voci, "Fisica Volume I, Meccanica-Termodinamica", Edizioni EdiSES.

C. Mencuccini, V. Silvestrini, "Fisica - Meccanica-Termodinamica", CEA.

E. Fermi, "Termodinamica", Boringhieri.

Exercise textbooks

M. Villa, A. Uguzzoni, M. Sioli, "Esercizi di fisica. Termodinamica, fluidi, onde e relatività. Come risolvere i problemi", Zanichelli, 2018.

A. Bertin et al., "Problemi d'esame di Fisica Generale - Meccanica e Termodinamica", Edizioni Esculapio.

G. A. Salandin e P. Pavan, "Problemi di Fisica 1", CEA.

S. Longhi et al., "Esercizi di Fisica Generale: Meccanica Termodinamica Elettricità e Magnetismo", Edizioni Esculapio.

C. Mencuccini, V. Silvestrini, "Esercizi di Fisica – Meccanica-Termodinamica", CEA.

Complementary  textbooks in English

Andrew Rex, Finn’s Thermal Physics, 3rd edition, CRC press, 2017.

M.W. Zemansky and R.H. Dittman, Heat and Thermodynamics - An intermediate Textbook, 7th edition, McGraw-Hill, 1997.

More advanced textbooks in English

Stephen Blundell and Katherine Blundell, Concepts in Thermal Physics, 2nd edition, Oxford Univ Press, 2009.

Daniel Schroeder, An introduction to Thermal Physics, Oxford Univ Press, 2021.

Ralph Baierlein, Thermal Physics, Cambridge Univ Press, 2010.

Teaching methods

Lectures and exercises.

Assessment methods

General information on the exam:

• The exam consists of a written test and an oral test.
• There are six exam sessions per academic year: three in summer, one in fall and two in winter. No additional sessions are foreseen.
• Enrollment in the exam list by means of AlmaEsami is mandatory.
• In each written test there are two exercises. To pass the test it is necessary to achieve at least 18 marks over 30. During the test - which lasts 2 hours - the use of an electronic calculator is allowed but it is not possible to consult neither textbooks nor notes.
• The result of the written test is valid up to the winter session. It is highly recommended, but not compulsory, to take the oral exam immediately after the written one.
• Students can repeat a written test if they want to improve their mark. However, keep in mind that previous marks will be deleted.
• The final grade that can be achieved is indicatively the average between written and 31 (30 with honors).
• If a student fails the oral exam, or rejects the mark, the commission will decide whether to keep the mark of the written exam. Please note that, according to the university regulations, the rejection of the grade must be accepted at least once by the commission. From the second refusal onwards  the decision is up to the commission itself.

Teaching tools

Course notes on Virtuale

Office hours

See the website of Federico Boscherini

See the website of Margherita Marsili