Schools What should I review to prepare for a university thermodynamics course?

[Saladsamurai]

I will be taking this course in Fall 08. Here is a description:

Defines and calculates thermodynamic properties such as energy, entropy, temperature, and pressure. Work and heat interactions are defined. The first and second laws of thermodynamics and concepts of thermodynamic equilibrium are introduced. Conservation of energy and mass and the entropy balance relation are discussed for open and closed systems. Irreversibility, energy, and the energy balance relation are introduced and applied in analyzing thermodynamic systems. Fundamentals of thermodynamics are used to model power generation and refrigeration systems. Covers thermodynamics of nonreacting gas mixtures with applications to air-water vapor mixtures for air-conditioning systems.

Obviously I should review the topics mentioned above that were covered in my Physics sequence, but is there anything else I could do to prepare for the course? Any maths or anything.

I am not too worried, I just like to have a jump on my course

 

[lisab]

Good thinking!

What math have you had so far?

Edit: what level is the class - upper or lower division?

 

[Saladsamurai]

Good thinking!

What math have you had so far?

Calculus 1 and 2 (no multivariable yet), Diff Eqs , and I am (painfully) teaching myself Linear Algebra as we speak.

Edit: what level is the class - upper or lower division?

I am not sure how to answer this question. That is, I don't know what it means I am a Mech E major if that helps. And it's my first course in Thermo.

 

[nicksauce]

Just be sure you are good with the ideas of partial differentiation, the chain rule, and exact differentials. These come up over and over again in the study of thermodynamics.

 

[Saladsamurai]

Just be sure you are good with the ideas of partial differentiation, the chain rule, and exact differentials. These come up over and over again in the study of thermodynamics.

Good tip! I'll get cracking on that.

 

[ekrim]

The introductory thermodynamics for mechanical engineers is very concept oriented. The math isn't anything worse than what you've encountered in physics, though differentials and partial differentiation will arise, as many relations are developed by rearranging these sorts of equations. It wouldn't hurt to get a sneak peak at the 4 laws of thermodynamics (and their appropriate equations). Definitions of terms like "state" and "property" are pivotal, and will be thrown around with reckless abandon, so be comfortable with them. If you're feeling squirrelly, the thermodynamics potentials: internal energy, enthalpy, hemholtz free energy, and gibbs free energy.

Of course you should only look into this if you're actually interested, because thermodynamics will be waiting for you in fall.

 

[lisab]

Just be sure you are good with the ideas of partial differentiation, the chain rule, and exact differentials. These come up over and over again in the study of thermodynamics.

I second nicksauce's advice.

What I meant by upper or lower division was the difference between introductory thermo and statistical mechanics (typically taken in the junior or senior year by physics majors). Intoductory classes utilize the calculus you've already taken, but statistical mechanics is heavily into the multivariate stuff. Sorry for the confusion !

 

[Saladsamurai]

The introductory thermodynamics for mechanical engineers is very concept oriented. The math isn't anything worse than what you've encountered in physics, though differentials and partial differentiation will arise, as many relations are developed by rearranging these sorts of equations. It wouldn't hurt to get a sneak peak at the 4 laws of thermodynamics (and their appropriate equations). Definitions of terms like "state" and "property" are pivotal, and will be thrown around with reckless abandon, so be comfortable with them. If you're feeling squirrelly, the thermodynamics potentials: internal energy, enthalpy, hemholtz free energy, and gibbs free energy.

Of course you should only look into this if you're actually interested, because thermodynamics will be waiting for you in fall.

Cool. Thanks! Everything interests me; it's a curse.

I second nicksauce's advice.

What I meant by upper or lower division was the difference between introductory thermo and statistical mechanics (typically taken in the junior or senior year by physics majors). Intoductory classes utilize the calculus you've already taken, but statistical mechanics is heavily into the multivariate stuff. Sorry for the confusion !

Gotcha' And thanks for clarifying.

 

[Andy Resnick]

I will be taking this course in Fall 08. Here is a description:


Obviously I should review the topics mentioned above that were covered in my Physics sequence, but is there anything else I could do to prepare for the course? Any maths or anything.

I am not too worried, I just like to have a jump on my course

That looks like a standard course curriculum. It could help to review unit conversions: Btu's to Joules, for example- especially for heating and refrigeration applications. The math is likely to be not much more than algrebra, but if you can get a sneak-peak at the textbook, you can see for yourself.

 

[Count Iblis]

You can start right now by reading this article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fundamental_thermodynamic_relation"

 

[Howers]

This whole course will likely be expressed in partial derivatives. Depedning on the book, you might also get into line integrals and some vector analysis. The best idea is to get a sketch of Calc 3 (multivariable and vector calculus). Get an idea of counting principles from high school, ie. baby statistics, which may be useful when deriving entropy. Not much physics is needed. Just be sure you know what work is, and how to picture it as area on a graph.

 

[ekrim]

This whole course will likely be expressed in partial derivatives. Depedning on the book, you might also get into line integrals and some vector analysis. The best idea is to get a sketch of Calc 3 (multivariable and vector calculus). Get an idea of counting principles from high school, ie. baby statistics, which may be useful when deriving entropy. Not much physics is needed. Just be sure you know what work is, and how to picture it as area on a graph.

not engineering thermo