Fall 2020 - PHYS 344 D100

Thermal Physics (3)

Class Number: 4132

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 9 – Dec 8, 2020: Mon, Wed, Fri, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    PHYS 121 or PHYS 126 or PHYS 141; MATH 251; both with a minimum grade of C-.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Heat, temperature, heat transfer, kinetic theory, laws of thermodynamics, entropy, heat engines, applications of thermodynamics to special systems, phase transitions. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

Part 1: Ideal gas model - development of concepts:              
           Temperature, equilibrium, heat, work, entropy, energy, chemical potential, laws
Part 2: Broader fundamental theory – applied to real systems:           
           Irreversible processes, engines and refrigerators
Part 3: Gibbs free energy and applications:            
           Chemical thermodynamics, phase transformations


Course delivery:
Lectures: synchronous and interactive. Some credit awarded for in-class participation (Clicker-style questions). Will be recorded.  
Tutorials: synchronous and interactive. Review-style sessions will be recorded; break-out room discussions will not. Credit awarded for work done collaboratively in break-out rooms.  
Independent project presentations: In-class via video or written with follow-up one-on-one video Q&A with instructor.  
Tests (3 during the term; dates to be announced): synchronous, during class time.  
Final exam: synchronous. Date TBD  (Final exam period is Dec 9 -20)
All testing will be invigilated via video monitoring. Details to be provided prior to testing.

Grading

  • Problem sets 15%
  • Tutorial Group Work 5%
  • In-class polls (clicker-like) 10%
  • Independent Project 20%
  • In-class exams (3) + Final (best 3 count) 50%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Required text:
"Basic Thermodynamics" by Gerald Carrington, Oxford Science Publication 1994

*Students can purchase book from online retailer if e-text unavailable from SFU bookstore.

Required computer resources:
• reliable high-speed internet access
• computer or tablet with webcam and microphone
• smartphone with camera

• Canvas with Blackboard Collaborate Ultra
• Zoom

Department Undergraduate Notes:

Students who cannot write their exam during the course's scheduled exam time must request accommodation from their instructor in writing, clearly stating the reason for this request, before the end of the first week of classes.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN FALL 2020

Teaching at SFU in fall 2020 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).