A typical applied sciences curriculum begins with the basics of dynamics followed by thermodynamics. While dynamics deals with a system at rest or in motion, thermodynamics discusses the mass and energy interaction of a system with its surroundings. A thermodynamic process results when a system changes its state due to its mass or energy interaction with the surroundings. Understanding and applying thermodynamics concepts is therefore key to analysing process inefficiencies, whether in fundamental science or in applied technology/engineering contexts.
The learning objectives for the book are summarized below:
- Identify and define a system and its surroundings. Express a state of a system using state variables such as pressure, temperature, volume, entropy, internal energy and enthalpy.
- State the first law of thermodynamics and calculate heat and work transfer in a process. Relate heat capacity of a material to the energy transfer. Distinguish reversible and irreversible processes by calculating the entropy change of the system, surroundings, and the universe.
- Apply the concept of a thermodynamic cycle, which connects several processes (in particular to heat engines and refrigerators). Derive the thermodynamic efficiency of these cycles.
- Apply energy equations to an open system or a control volume. Calculate the entropy change of the control volume, surroundings, and the universe in a flow process.
- Classify the energy potentials (internal energy, enthalpy, Helmholtz, and Gibbs free energy) as a function of their respective macroscopic variables and calculate changes of these energy potentials. Examine the consequences on a system when these state variables are varied.
- Expressing properties of a pure substance using diagrams and tables. Analyse a process using these phase properties. Apply the Clausius-Clapeyron relation to determine the relationship between saturation pressure and temperature in a phase transition.
Key Feautres:
- Essential concepts of thermodynamics from more general to specific use cases.
- Emphasis on practical use of thermodynamic concepts (and, as mentioned earlier, a thorough discussion of the irreversible process).
- A unique way to learn about chemical and physical phase changes in a reaction by describing them as a thermodynamic process.
- Interactive Q&A exercises that test students' conceptual understanding using a "gamification" approach.
- A course text with broad relevance across Applied Physics; Advanced Technology (engineering programmes); Mechanical Engineering; and Chemical Engineering
