Understanding the content: Classical thermodynamics

The panel on the right of this page contains links to videos on the topics we are studying as part of this chapter. On the pages for each of these videos you will find a link to a worksheet containing comprehension questions. You should print out the comprehension questions, watch the video and try to answer the comprehension questions based on the ideas that are explained in the video. If you are struggling to answer any question please come and ask.

An introduction to thermodynamic variables and the distinction between intenstive and extensive variables.
topic: Thermodynamic variables
author: G. Tribello
An introduction to the roles played by work and heat in classical thermodynamics
topic: Thermodynamic variables
author: G. Tribello
An introduction to Gibb's phase rule.
topic: Gibbs Phase rule
author: G. Tribello
An explanation of the various stages in the operation of a Carnot engine and an explanation as to why this is the most efficient engine that can be constructed.
topic: The Carnot Cycle
author: G. Tribello
An explanation of Kelvin's universal calibration for temperature.
topic: The Carnot Cycle
author: G. Tribello
An explanation of how much work when the volume of a system changes adiabatically.
topic: The Carnot Cycle
author: G. Tribello
The Claussius inequality and entropy explained by comparing the efficiency of real engines with that of the Carnot engine.
topic: The Carnot Cycle
author: G. Tribello
An introduction to the first law of thermodynamics.
topic: The first and second laws of thermodynamics
author: G. Tribello
An introduction to the second law of thermodynamics
topic: The first and second laws of thermodynamics
author: G. Tribello
Combining the first and second laws of thermodynamics
topic: The first and second laws of thermodynamics
author: G. Tribello
An introduction to the notion of a reservoir and the thermodynamic potentials that we use to describe the state of a system in contact with a reservoir.
topic: Thermodynamic Potentials
author: G. Tribello
An explanation as to how to derive a Maxwell relation from the definition of the thermodynamic potentials.
topic: Maxwell relations
author: G. Tribello
An explanation as to how inequalities involving response functions can be derived.
topic: Response functions
author: G. Tribello

Contact Details

School of Mathematics and Physics,
Queen's University Belfast,
Belfast,
BT7 1NN

Email: g.tribello@qub.ac.uk
Website: mywebsite