Module information on this degree can be found below, separated by year of study.
The module information below applies for the current academic year. The academic year runs from August to July; the 'current year' switches over at the end of July.
Students select optional courses subject to rules specified in the Mechanical Engineering Student Handbook, for example at most three Design and Business courses. Please note that numbers are limited on some optional courses and selection criteria will apply.
Thermodynamics 3A
Module aims
This mnodule is a continuation of the ME1 and ME2 modules in thermodynamics. The first term deals with the fundamentals of equilibrium thermodynamics. The second term will introduce students to the kinetic theory and how the concepts of pressure, temperature (among others) and transport properties arise from molecular motions. This is a level 6 version of the enhanced level 7 Thermodynamics module and students cannot take both for credit towards their final degree.
ECTS = 5
Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Explain advanced concepts in thermodynamics including non-ideal behaviour, phase change, electro-chemistry, radiation and critical phenomena.
2. Determine the thermodynamic limitations of an engineering process
3. Derive the fundamental thermodynamic equations in thermofluids and other branches of engineering.
4. Explain the kinetic theory of a gas and how the concepts of pressure, temperature (among others) and transport properties arise from molecular motions
Module syllabus
1. Introduction
2. Maxwell Relations
3. Thermodynamic Potentials: Gibbs and Helmholtz
4. Thermodynamic Potentials: Applications, Chemical Potential
5. Thermodynamics of Radiation: Stefan-Boltzmann Law
6. Phase Change: Phase diagrams, Phase transitions
7. Mixtures and Solutions: Solubility, Osmotic Pressure
8. Chemical Reactions and Chemical Equilibrium: Pollutant Formation and Emissions
9. Electro-Chemistry: Fuel Cells and Batteries
10. Structured Tutorial
11. Kinetic Theory of Gases I
12. Kinetic Theory of Gases II
13. Non-Ideal gas behaviour
14. Introduction to Statistical Mechanics
15. Statistical Mechanics II
16. Statistical Mechanics III
17. Thermo-Fluids Transport Equations: Navier-Stokes/Energy Equation/Species Transport
18. Thermo-Fluids Transport Equations: Simplifications and Closures"
Teaching methods
Assessments
| Assessment details | ||||
| Pass mark | ||||
| Grading method | Numeric | 40% | ||
| Assessments | ||||
| Assessment type | Assessment description | Weighting | Pass mark | Must pass? |
| Examination | 3 Hour exam | 95% | 40% | Y |
| Coursework | Quiz | 5% | 40% | N |
Reading list
Supplementary
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Thermodynamics : an engineering approach.
Tenth edition /; International student edition., McGraw Hill
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Thermodynamics and an introduction to thermostatistics
2nd ed., Wiley
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Thermodynamics for chemists, physicists and engineers
Springer
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Concepts in thermal physics
Second edition., Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press
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Modern thermodynamics : from heat engines to dissipative structures
2nd ed., Chichester, West Sussex ; Hoboken, New Jersey : John Wiley & Sons Inc.
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Statistical thermodynamics : an engineering approach
Cambridge University Press
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Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics an integrated approach
Cambridge University Press
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Statistical thermodynamics
Rev. print., Hemisphere Pub. Corp.