Course Syllabus

Instructor: Prof. Amlan Biswas

Contact Information:

• Email Address: amlan@ufl.edu (all email communication related to the course will be through canvas)
  
• Office: NPB 2255
• Office Phone Number: 352 392 8592

Class hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, period 7, 1:55 pm - 2:45 pm

Location of classes: NPB 1226

Tech support: If you have a technical issue with Canvas or Zoom, please consult UF IT Help immediately (352-392-HELP / 352-392-4357)

Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, period 8, 3:00 pm - 3:50 pm.

Textbook: The required text is Blundell and Blundell, Concepts in Thermal Physics, (2nd edition, Oxford University Press) ISBN: 9780199562107.

Prereq: PHY 2049 or equivalent

Synopsis: First part of the  PHY 3513-PHY4523 sequence. Treatment of classical thermodynamics including fundamental postulates, entropy, equations of states. Thermodynamic equilibrium and potentials, Maxwell relations, phase transitions. Physics 3513 will cover selected chapters of the textbook. See outline for details. Lecture slides will be available, usually, a day before class on this website.

Course objectives: To obtain a thorough understanding of thermal physics with detailed mathematical treatment. The link between microscopic and macroscopic properties will be explored. Applications to modern technology will be emphasized along with a historical perspective.

Student Learning Outcomes: The laws of physics are the starting point for most scientific research and engineering applications. Students taking this course obtain broad-based knowledge and experience applying these laws. Many students go on to graduate study in physics, and a considerable number pursue advanced degrees in other science disciplines, all branches of engineering and medical school. The learning outcomes students can expect to acquire through successful completion of the course are listed below along with the assignments through which the outcomes will be assessed.

Content:

• Identify, define and describe a core fields of physics i.e. thermodynamics (Lectures, textbook)
• Formulate empirically-testable hypotheses derived from the study of physical processes, and apply logical reasoning skills (Homeworks, Quizzes, and Exams)

Critical Thinking:

• Formulate, solve problems and draw conclusions from data. (Extra credit programming projects)

Communication:

• Effectively and clearly communicate ideas in speech and in writing in an accepted style. (In-class discussions)

Grading policy:

Homework and in-class quizzes: There will be nine graded homework assignments during the semester. A reasonable attempt at a homework problem will be given full credit and partial solutions to the problems will be made available along with the homework. The homeworks will also be discussed in class (or extra zoom office hours) and will be worth a total of 5% of the course grade.

About one of two weeks after the homework is assigned, there will be a short (~20 minutes) in-class quiz based on that homework. There will be a total of 6 such quizzes (Q1 to Q6) and the minimum score will be dropped. Each quiz will be worth 7% of the course grade for a total of 35% of the course grade. The problems will usually be multiple choice but partial credit will be given if the calculations shown are partially correct. Also, if your work for the quiz does not show how you arrived at the correct answer, then no points will be given even if you have selected the correct answer in the multiple choice. See course schedule below for homework and quiz dates. You can have your own work for the corresponding homework assignment during the quiz.

Mid-term exams: There will be two in-class mid-term exams of 50 minutes duration, scheduled for February 23 and April 8. Each of these exams will be worth 16% of the total grade. Hence the mid-term exams will constitute 32% of the total grade. The mid-term exams will be based on the homeworks assigned in the previous weeks and the quizzes. The exams will be open notes (total of two sheets front and back (4 pages)).

ALC test: The ALC is a field test on selected topics created by faculty in the department. The student scores are used for review of the physics program. The Thermal Physics ALC test will consist of 15 multiple choice questions on various topics expected to be covered in a thermal physics course. The test will be given during class on April 22 with a time limit of 50 minutes (1:55 pm to 2:45 pm). This test will be worth 3% of the total grade.

Final exam: There will be a 120 minutes, cumulative final exam on April 30 from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Details about the exam format will be posted here.  It will be open notes ((total of four sheets front and back (8 pages)). The final exam will be worth 25% of the total grade.

Extra credit programming project: There will be a programming project worth 2 extra credits. The project will be based on concepts and techniques learned during the semester. Basic python techniques will be discussed in class or in the assigned homeworks.

Make-ups: Make-up tests and quizzes will be given if a situation satisfies the make-up policy (see below).

 

Grade calculation:

Homework	5% (11 homeworks)
2 mid-term tests	32% (16% each)
Best 5 of 6 quizzes	35% (7% each)
ALC test	3%
2 extra credits (programming project)	2%
Final exam	25%

 

Letter Grade	Percent Score ()
A
A-
B+
B
B-
C+
C
C-
D+
D
D-
E

The percent score ranges may be lowered, depending upon numerous factors, but will not be raised. The course grades are not curved. Link to UF grading policy.

Links to an external site.

Attendance and make up assignments/tests: Regular attendance is expected but not enforced. In class quizzes are announced in advance. Make up quizzes/exams will be given for valid excused absences. Requirements for class attendance and make-up exams, assignments, and other work in this course are consistent with university policies. Excused absences must be consistent with university policies and require appropriate documentation.  Click here to read the university attendance policies.

 

Holidays (no classes):  Martin Luther King Day (January 19), Spring Break (March 16, 18, and 20)

Course evaluations: Students are expected to provide professional and respectful feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing course evaluations online via GatorEvals. Click here for guidance on how to give feedback in a professional and respectful manner. Students will be notified when the evaluation period opens, and can complete evaluations through the email they receive from GatorEvals, in their Canvas course menu under GatorEvals, or via ufl.bluera.com/ufl/.

Links to an external site Summaries of course evaluation results are available to students here

Links to an external site..

Accommodations: Students with disabilities who experience learning barriers and would like to request academic accommodations should connect with the disability Resource Center. Click here to get started with the Disability Resource Center

Links to an external site.. It is important for students to share their accommodation letter with their instructor and discuss their access needs, as early as possible in the semester.

Academic Honesty:UF students are bound by The Honor Pledge which states “We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standards of honor and integrity by abiding by the Honor Code. On all work submitted for credit by students at the University of Florida, the following pledge is either required or implied: “On my honor, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid in doing this assignment.” The Conduct Code specifies a number of behaviors that are in violation of this code and the possible sanctions. See the UF Conduct Code website for more information Links to an external site.. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with the instructor or TAs in this class.

Link to UF syllabus policies: https://go.ufl.edu/syllabuspolicies Links to an external site..

Course Schedule:Links to an external site.

Date	Day	Chapter	Topic	Exam/Quiz due	Homework/Video lecture available
1/12	Monday	1	Discussion of syllabus and introduction
1/13	Tuesday
1/14	Wednesday	1.2	Heat and temperature		HW0, HW1
1/15	Thursday
1/16	Friday	2,4	Microstate, macrostates, and temperature
1/17	Saturday
1/18	Sunday
1/19	Monday		Martin Luther King Day		HW2
1/20	Tuesday
1/21	Wednesday	4	Definition of absolute temperature
1/22	Thursday
1/23	Friday	4	Boltzmann factor, two-level system	Quiz 1
1/24	Saturday
1/25	Sunday
1/26	Monday	5,6	Boltzmann factor, two-level system, Velocity distribution in a monatomic ideal gas		HW3
1/27	Tuesday
1/28	Wednesday	5,6	Velocity distribution in a monatomic ideal gas
1/29	Thursday
1/30	Friday	6	Ideal gas equation
1/31	Saturday
2/1	Sunday
2/2	Monday	6	Ideal gas equation and review
2/3	Tuesday
2/4	Wednesday	11	First law of thermodynamics, Specific heat	Quiz 2
2/5	Thursday
2/6	Friday	12	Isothermal and adiabatic processes
2/7	Saturday
2/8	Sunday
2/9	Monday	12	Isothermal and adiabatic processes		HW4
2/10	Tuesday
2/11	Wednesday	13	Heat engines, Carnot cycle
2/12	Thursday
2/13	Friday	13	Carnot cycle, Second law of thermodynamics
2/14	Saturday
2/15	Sunday
2/16	Monday	13	Second law of thermodynamics and entropy		HW5
2/16	Monday		Exam 1 review. NPB 1101. Livestreamed and recorded on zoom: 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm
2/17	Tuesday
2/18	Wednesday	14	Reversible and irreversible processes, Joule expansion
2/19	Thursday
2/20	Friday	14	Reversible and irreversible processes, Joule expansion
2/21	Saturday
2/22	Sunday
2/23	Monday			Exam 1	HW6
2/24	Tuesday
2/25	Wednesday			Quiz 3
2/26	Thursday
2/27	Friday
2/28	Saturday
3/1	Sunday
3/2	Monday	14	Joule expansion, mixing
3/2	Monday	14, 16	Mixing and Maxwell's demon, Thermodynamic potentials
3/3	Tuesday
3/4	Wednesday	16	Maxwell's relations and available energy
3/5	Thursday
3/6	Friday	16, 17	Available energy, Rods, Bubbles, and Magnets
3/7	Saturday
3/8	Sunday
3/9	Monday	17	Rods, Magnets		HW7
3/10	Tuesday
3/11	Wednesday	18, 26	Magnet, Third law
3/12	Thursday
3/13	Friday	26	Third law, Van der Waals equation of state
3/14	Saturday
3/15	Sunday
3/16	Monday		Spring break
3/17	Tuesday		Spring break
3/18	Wednesday		Spring break
3/19	Thursday		Spring break
3/20	Friday		Spring break
3/21	Saturday
3/22	Sunday
3/23	Monday	26	Reduced vdW equation, Maxwell's construction		HW8
3/24	Tuesday
3/25	Wednesday	27	Maxwell's construction	Quiz 4
3/26	Thursday
3/27	Friday	27	Cooling real gases, Joule-Thomson effect
3/28	Saturday
3/29	Sunday
3/30	Monday	27	Cooling real gases, Joule-Thomson effect
3/31	Tuesday
4/1	Wednesday	28	Phase transitions	Quiz 5
4/2	Thursday
4/3	Friday	28	Claussius-Clapeyron equation
4/4	Saturday
4/5	Sunday
4/6	Monday	28	Claussius-Clapeyron equation, Metastability		HW9
4/7	Tuesday
4/8	Wednesday			Exam 2
4/9	Thursday
4/10	Friday	28	Metastability, Gibb's phase rule
4/11	Saturday
4/12	Sunday
4/13	Monday		Equipartition theorem, Engines, refrigerators, etc.
4/14	Tuesday
4/15	Wednesday		Engines, refrigerators, etc.	Quiz 6
4/16	Thursday
4/17	Friday		Binomial distribution, Engines, refrigerators, etc.
4/18	Saturday
4/19	Sunday
4/20	Monday		Claussius-Clapeyron equation problems
4/20	Monday		Review. NPB 1001. Livestreamed and recorded on zoom: 6:15 pm to 7:45 pm
4/21	Tuesday
4/22	Wednesday		ALC test
4/23	Thursday
4/24	Friday
4/25	Saturday
4/26	Sunday
4/27	Monday
4/28	Tuesday
4/29	Wednesday
4/30	Thursday		Final exam 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
5/1	Friday