Heat and Molecular Physics

Course guarantor:

Filip Petrásek

Lecturer:

Filip Petrásek

Tutor:

Filip Petrásek

Supervisor:

Department of Physics

Synopsis:

Thermal expansion of materials, heat transfer; stationary and non-stationary heat conduction, heat transfer and penetration; 1st and 2nd thermodynamic principle, ideal and real gas, entropy; non-chemical systems: dielectric and magnetic materials; Maxwell relations and thermodynamic potentials; kinetic theory: Maxwell's velocity distribution,equipartition theorem.

Requirements:

1. Regular attendance at exercises with a maximum of 2 unexcused absences.

2. Two assessment tests during the semester and one comprehensive remedial assessment test at the beginning of the exam period. Assessment is awarded for at least 4 points out of 8, or 5 points out of 12 after the retake test.

3. The exam includes 2 theoretical questions, with the final grade being a weighted average of the grade from the oral theoretical part and the grade based on the number of points from the assessment tests during the semester.

Syllabus of lectures:

1. Thermal linear, plane and volume expansions. Thermal expansivity of gas.

2. Transport of heat: conduction, convection and radiation. Stationary conduction in thermally isolated and unisolatedsystems.

3. Non-stationary conduction. Common heat conduction equation.

4. Surface heat transfer.

5. The zeroth and first law of thermodynamics. Thermodynamic process in ideal gas. The second law of thermodynamics. Carnot cycle. The Clausius unequality.

6. Entropy of homogeneous chemical system. The Gibbs paradoxon.

7. Common temperature, thermodynamic temperature.

8. Thermodymamic variables of non-chemical systems.

9. The heat capacity KV and Kp.

10. The third law of thermodynamics.

11. The equipartition theorem and its consequences.

12. The Maxwell law of distribution of molecular velocities.

13. The van der Waals gas. The Joule and Thomson experiment. Condensation of gases.

Syllabus of tutorials:

Solving problems to illustrate the theory from the lecture

Study Objective:

knowledge:

knowledge of basic thermodynamic phenomena in chemical (and some non-chemical) systems.

abilities:

application of the mathematical and conceptual formalism of thermodynamics on concrete practical examples from physical and engineering praxis

Study materials:

Key references:

[1] R. F. Sekerka, Thermal Physics: Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics for Scientists and Engineers, Elsevier, 2015

[2] A. Rex and C.B.P. Finn: Finn's Thermal Physics, 3rd Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, 2017

Recommended references:

[3] D.V. Schroeder, Introduction to Thermal Physics, Pearson Education, 2013

Note:

Time-table for winter semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

Time-table for summer semester 2025/2026:

Time-table is not available yet

The course is a part of the following study plans:

• Physical Engineering - Computational physics (PS)
• Quantum Technologies (compulsory course in the program)
• Nuclear and Particle Physics (compulsory course in the program)
• Mathematical Engineering - Mathematical Physics (PS)
• Physical Engineering - Plasma Physics and Thermonuclear Fusion (PS)
• Mathematical Engineering - Mathematical Modelling (PS)
• Mathematical Engineering - Mathematical Informatics (elective course)
• Physical Engineering - Solid State Engineering (PS)
• Physical Engineering - Laser Technology and Photonics (PS)