You can easily mix two different colors of fluid together, but you cannot so easily reverse the process and separate the mixture. If you were shown a movie of this mixture unmixing into its original components, through a simple pouring action, you would know that it was not an accurate representation of our physical world: You would know that the movie was running backwards in time, because fluid mixing is an example of an irreversible process. In thermal physics, the concept of irreversibility in such phenomena as heat flow leads toward the concept of entropy and the deep physical understanding that is known as the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Fall 2018 - Section 1153

Catalog Description
Credits: 3; Coreq: PHY 2049 or the equivalent. First part of the PHY 3513/4523 sequence that includes treatment of classical thermodynamics, including fundamental postulates, entropy and equations of states; thermodynamic equilibrium and potentials; Maxwell relations and phase transitions. (P)
The mathematics prerequisite is important: Algebra, trigonometry, and calculus (I, II, III) will be used extensively in this course.

Instructor
Prof. Steve Hagen
Office: 2362 NPB
Email: sjhagen (at) ufl.edu
Office hours change from week to week. If you cannot make this week's scheduled hours you are welcome to contact me and make an appointment.

Class Meetings
MWF 7^th period (1:55 - 2:45 pm)
Room 1101 NPB (Physics Building at Museum Rd and Lemerand Dr)

Goals

This is the first course in a two-semester series (PHY3513 + PHY4523) in thermal physics, which is the study of general properties of heat, work and energy. The topic can be divided roughly into three parts: kinetic theory, thermodynamics and statistical physics. PHY3513 focuses on the first two (kinetic theory and thermodynamics), while PHY4523 focuses on statistical mechanics. The goals of this course are to introduce basic concepts in the kinetic theory of ideal gases (such as the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution) and then to develop the fundamental laws of thermodynamics and their applications. These ideas define in a precise and universal way some of the most basic attributes of matter and energy. They include the concepts of thermodynamic equilibrium, efficiency, reversibility and irreversibility, temperature, entropy, state equations, thermodynamic free energy, phase transitions and more. Historically, these ideas arose out of the study of engines (steam engines) during the industrial revolution - before the nature of atoms and molecules was even understood! However the principles of thermodynamics are fundamental to all of the natural sciences and engineering, from biochemistry to astrophysics. A proper understanding of thermodynamics is especially important for any student who wishes to pursue advanced study in any physical science or engineering field.
If you choose to take this course, you should plan to spend a significant amount of time doing homework, as the only way to learn physics is to work a large number of homework problems. The most common reason that some students do poorly in a physics course is a failure to engage seriously with the homework and learn to solve each assigned problem. Do not be surprised if the homework assignments take up a fair amount of your time. If you don't have time to do homework then you should not be taking this course.
Fluency in algebra and calculus (I, II, III) is essential as these tools are used extensively in this course. During the first week you will be asked to complete a mathematical self assessment to ensure that you have the math skills that you will need.

Textbook (required)
- Author: Andrew Rex and C.B.P. Finn
- Title: Finn's Thermal Physics - 3rd edition
- Publisher: CRC Press
- Price: Roughly $50 (electronic), $140 (hardcover), or $32 (softcover).
- ISBN: 978-1498718875
Textbooks (optional)
There are lots of good thermal physics textbooks. We call Finn the required textbook so as to define the scope of this course and its intellectual content, to create a shared point of reference. Finn has all the necessary content as well as a full complement of homework problems, all presented in a compact, postliterate style. Technically speaking, everything you need is in there.
But as for actually understanding the subject, feel free to use any book that you enjoy reading. Keep in mind that some books focus more on statistical physics (phy4523) and others are more focused on thermodynamics (phy3513). Some books try to do both. If Finn is not working for you, take a look at these:
- Introduction to Thermal Physics, by Daniel V. Schroeder. This book is a very readable introduction to thermal physics, so it's a good reference if you are confused about something. It tends to emphasize a statistical physics viewpoint, as opposed to a thermodynamics viewpoint. In that and other ways Schroeder is a little idiosyncratic in its presentation. You won't be learning thermal physics the same way that everyone else does - for better or worse.
- Thermal Physics, by Ralph Baierlein. The book combines thermodynamics, statistical physics, and kinetic theory. I was a student in Ralph Baierlein's class some years ago. I recommend this book because he is an excellent teacher and a lucid writer.
- Thermal and Statistical Physics, by Gould and Tobochnik. This is a new online textbook and I would be very interested in hearing your opinion of the book, for possible future use in PHY3513 or other UF courses. (Access online from UF computers via http://uflib.ufl.edu )
- Introductory Statistical Mechanics, by Bowley and Sanchez. This book was used in PHY4523 and is mostly focused on Stat Mech, where it does a great job. But it does contain some useful discussions of thermodynamics.
- Concepts in Thermal Physics, by Blundell and Blundell. This is quite a good book for thermodynamics and it has often been used for PHY3513. It is very clearly written, more meticulous and precise than Schroeder. And, unlike Finn, it was written to be read. Unfortunately the homework problems are worthless, an incurable defect.
- Classical and Statistical Thermodynamics, by Ashley H. Carter. This book has a thermodynamics focus. It was recently used in PHY3513 and may be seen as an alternative to Blundell and Blundell. I don't feel it is as well organized as some other textbooks, but it is still worth a look.
- Thermal Physics, by Kittel. This book gets mixed reviews. It has a little more of a statistical physics focus, but it's worth a look.

Dates, Calendar and Website
All dates and announcements will be posted on the Canvas site. The Canvas website has the course calendar in addition to the syllabus, homework and quiz problems and solutions, exam solutions, and various other timely information. The instructor will assume that all students check the site regularly and are familiar with the information and announcements posted there.
Obviously we follow the University of Florida academic calendar. There are several holidays in Fall 2018 that affect our class: Labor Day (Mon Sep 3), Homecoming (Fri Oct 12), Veterans Day (Mon Nov 12) and Thanksgiving (Wed-Fri, Nov 21-23). Note that the official UF calendar indicates that classes will meet on the Monday (Nov 19) but not the Wednesday (Nov 21) before Thanksgiving.
The midterm and final examinations are scheduled for
- Midterm Exam I: Monday Sept 24 in location CSE E222 at 8:20 - 10:10 pm
- Midterm Exam II: Monday Oct 29 in location CSE E222 at 8:20 - 10:10 pm
- Final Examination: Monday December 10, 2018 at 3-5 pm in our usual classroom 1101 NPB

Schedule of topics:

Setting aside hurricanes and other schedule disruptions, we anticipate having 40 lectures in fall 2018. During that time we will cover the first 12 chapters of Finn's 3rd edition. The approximate schedule will therefore be:

Aug 22 - Aug 27	Chap 1	Temperature
Aug 27 - Sep 5	Chap 2	Reversible processes and Work
Sep 5 - Sep 14	Chap 3	First Law of Thermodynamics
Sep 14 - Sep 24	Chap 4	Second Law of Thermodynamics
Sep 24 - Oct 3	Chap 5	Entropy
Oct 3 - Oct 17	Chap 6	Statistical Mechanics
Oct 17 - Oct 26	Chap 7	Thermodynamic Potentials, Maxwell Relations
Oct 26 - Nov 5	Chap 8	General Thermodynamic Relations
Nov 5 - Nov 9	Chap 9	Magnetic Systems
Nov 9 - Nov 28	Chap 10	Phase Changes
Nov 28 - Dec 3	Chap 11	Open Systems and Chemical Potential
Dec 3 - Dec 5	Chap 12 	Third Law of Thermodynamics

Homework and Quizzes

Homework (HW) will be assigned regularly. It is often helpful to work with a friend on the homework, and I encourage you to do this if possible. But make sure that you understand each problem and that you have written out your own solution in your own words. Solutions to HW problems will not be provided by the instructor. Instead you are encouraged to talk with other students, study the textbook, ask questions in class, and come to office hours with any problems that you have difficulty with.

HW will not be collected or graded. Instead, we will have frequent short quizzes in which I will present you with a recent HW problem, or a question that closely resembles a recent HW problem. That will be your opportunity to show that you understand the HW. These will not be open-book quizzes, although you will have access to the official formula sheet. Most quizzes will be short and unannounced. However the first quiz of the semester is a little different: it is a diagnostic math pretest, about 10-15 questions, given on the first Friday of the semester. The purpose is to give you and me a sense of your math readiness for PHY3513.

Each quiz will be graded on a 4-point scale (0-4 pts). If you have been coming to class and you can do the homework, you should find the quizzes to be easy. If you are struggling on the quizzes, then it is highly likely that you are not engaging fully with the homework.

Exams and Grades
The final course grade will be determined by
- 30% - Quiz
- 20% - Midterm exam #1 - in class
- 20% - Midterm exam #2 - in class
- 30% - Final Examination
- 100% - Total
Quiz and exam grades will be provided as numerical (not letter) scores only. The only letter grade provided will be the final course grade. This approach minimizes roundoff errors in your final grade, so it is ultimately more fair, even if it causes some anxiety at times. The letter grade scale applied at the end of the semester will be subject to adjustment based on overall class performance. However the following minimum scale is assured:
```
≥ 90	A
≥ 86.67	A-
≥ 83.33 B+
≥ 80	B
≥ 76.67 B-
≥ 73.33 C+
≥ 70	C
≥ 66.67 C-
≥ 63.33 D+
≥ 60	D
≥ 56.67 D-
```
This means that a student who earns 86.67% average on all graded work (and meets other requirements described in this syllabus) is assured at least an A-, etc.
The midterm exams are given in class. The final exam is an assembly exam. All topics covered in the assigned reading and HW, or presented in lecture, are fair game for the exams and quizzes. Most of the exam questions are usually similar to previous quiz and HW questions. Most of the quiz questions are similar to recent HW questions. Therefore, you may potentially encounter the same problem three times during the semester: Once as HW, once as quiz, and once on the midterm or final exam.
During the exams and quizzes you will be provided an "official" Phy3513 formula sheet, but you may not use any other notes or books. You may bring a calculator (but not a phone, tablet, etc.).
This course has no assigned grader, other than your instructor. If your graded work is returned to you and you have questions about the grading, you are welcome to bring your concerns to me. Keep in mind that I may then review any and all parts of the work, and consequently your overall assignment grade could potentially go up or down. Also keep in mind that I cannot reasonably be expected to regrade work that was submitted in pencil (or erasable pen). If you want the option to submit work for regrading, please write in ink. Finally, any requests for review should be made as promptly as reasonably possible.
Please plan carefully. Check the midterm and final exam dates (see above) carefully before you make any plans to travel away from campus during the semester. If you purchase an airline ticket to travel during the semester, and you later realize that your travel conflicts with a scheduled exam, you will have a problem.

Final Examination
The final examination is comprehensive - it covers the entire semester. The date and time is fixed by the UF Registrar as Monday December 10 2018 at 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM. Mark your calendar.

Make-ups
The Instructor believes that make-ups are intrinsically unfair. This unfairness can be mitigated (but not eliminated) by keeping the number of make-ups to an absolute minimum. A make-up for a missed exam will be granted only in a truly dire situation which the student can prove satisfies UF criteria. Proper documentation of any emergency will be required.
Makeups for quizzes are generally unnecessary, as I will drop your two lowest quiz scores. If however that is insufficient and you feel that you have cause for a makeup, you will need to have a UF-approved excuse and provide documentation. Keep in mind that you will need to document that you were truly unable to take the quiz. For example, the fact that you interacted with a physician, nurse, pharmacist, phlebotomist, etc. does not by itself prove that you were too sick to attend class.
Attendance
Regular class attendance is definitely expected. Mastery of the course material will require each student to make a sustained and consistent investment of effort throughout the semester. Class attendance is part of that effort. Poor attendance or frequent lateness will result in a reduced final grade, or even a failing grade. A student who stops participating in the class - i.e. who ceases attending class, doing homework, communicating with the instructor, taking quizzes/exams - should drop the course, because otherwise a failing grade is certain. No special end-of-semester arrangements (such as make-up work, late-drop petitions, incomplete grades, signatures on various forms, etc.) will be provided to any student who simply disappeared for a substantial portion of the semester. Such accommodations are only available to students who have participated in class and kept in regular contact with the instructor during the term.

Auditing the course
Unfortunately the instructor cannot approve requests to audit PHY3513. Every student must register formally and take the class for credit.

Privacy
Student academic records are confidential, under federal law. I will not answer emailed questions about your grades or other academic matters, unless the email comes from your UF email or Canvas account. Parents (and others) cannot ask instructors for information on a student's attendance, grades, performance, etc, either by phone or email. Even your UFID is confidential.

Disabilities (Accomodations)
Students who will require a classroom accommodation for a disability must contact the Dean of Students Office and request proper documentation. Upon bringing that documentation to the Instructor, the student will be given the appropriate accommodations. No accommodations are available to students who lack this documentation.
It is the policy of the University of Florida that the student, not the instructor, is responsible for arranging accommodations when needed. The instructor will not remind the student to schedule accommodations prior to each quiz or exam. If you require extra time for in-class work, you must initiate this request at least seven days before the exam or quiz.

Professional Behavior
This is an upper-division, university classroom and so we expect professional behavior from everyone. Frequent lateness, entering and leaving the classroom during the lecture, listening to headphones or reading the ALLIGATOR during class, texting, websurfing, emailing during class, cellphone rings, etc. ... are all rude and disruptive behaviors. They distract the teacher and the other students in the classroom - a direct violation of the Student Conduct Code. In fact this instructor believes that clasroom use of laptops, iPods, phones, tablet computers, and virtually all other electronic devices is almost always detrimental to student learning and attention. Please show courtesy and respect for yourself, your colleagues, and your institution by putting away all your electronic devices at the start of class, and by avoiding other distracting behaviors.

Academic Honesty
All students are required to abide by the principles of academic honesty expressed in the Student Honor Code. Consistent with university policy, any incident of academic dishonesty in this course will be reported to the Dean of Students Office. No warnings and no exceptions. If the incident is the student's first offense at UF, the student will receive a failing grade in PHY3513. If not, the Dean of Students Office will decide the appropriate sanction.
What does "academic dishonesty" mean? As in most physics courses, it is normal and appropriate for students in PHY3513 to work together on homework assignments. However certain other activities are inappropriate: these include plagiarism, fabricating data or information, falsifying any document relevant to academic expectations, giving or receiving any unauthorized assistance on quizzes or exams, and interfering with the academic work of other students. These acts are dishonest. Supplying a false or fabricated excuse for missed academic work is also academic dishonesty.

Students are advised that the instructor may use photo or video recording during exams or quizzes in order to document seating locations and other goings on. If you have a concern about this, talk with the instructor.
The Dean of Students Office website has further details on academic honesty policies at UF.

Religious Holidays
Major religious observances will be accommodated. It is university policy, however, that the student must inform the instructor of religious observances that will conflict with class attendance or other activities, prior to the class or the occurrence of that activity. Since major religious holidays are usually based on astronomical calendars - which (thanks to Newtonian mechanics) can be calculated hundreds of years in advance - the instructor will expect the student to provide at least 7-14 days of advance notice of any upcoming religious observance.

Academic Learning Compact (ALC)
Owing to rules set forth by the State of Florida, UF physics majors must pass a 'field test' that consists of several parts. Click here for details. Part of that field test is an assessment of your understanding of PHY3513. Therefore we are required to give a standardized test toward the end of the semester to ensure that every student has mastered the content of this course. The test will be given during the last class meeting of the semester. Please be sure to attend. This is not the same as the final examination.

Evaluations
Students are expected to provide feedback on the quality of instruction in this course by completing online evaluations at https://evaluations.ufl.edu. Evaluations are typically open during the last two or three weeks of the semester, but students will be given specific times when they are open. Summary results of these assessments are available to students at https://evaluations.ufl.edu/results/

Counseling Services
University life can be stressful. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the demands of your semester please make use of the UF Counseling and Wellness Center.

Copyright and recordings
The instructor may use photo or video recording of exams and quizzes for the purpose of promoting academic honesty. However it is UF policy that students may not make unauthorized recordings: "A Student must not, without express authorization from Faculty, make or receive any Recording, through any means over any medium, of any academic activity, including but not limited to a Recording of any class or of any meeting with Faculty." Also note that the textbook, homework questions, and written homework solutions are the intellectual property of the textbook author and publisher and others. Therefore, permission to redistribute, reuse, recycle, share, upload, copy, buy, sell etc. any course materials in any form is denied. Period. This means for example that it is illegal to copy or upload homework solutions or classroom audio/video to any website or distribute them to any third party for any purpose.