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Lismore Session 2 Session 2

Unit Summary

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit

Credit points

12

AQF level

7

Level of learning

Advanced

Former School/College

Former School of Environment, Science and Engineering

Pre-requisites

successfully complete PHY10760 - Physics and Materials

Unit aim

Introduces students to the fundamental concepts of engineering thermodynamics, including the units, definitions and physical basis of thermodynamic functions, and the first and second laws of thermodynamics.  Students engage in individual modelling and analysis of mechanical examples and work in small groups on laboratory experiments.  

Unit content

1. Introduction to thermodynamics and basic concepts  

2. Energy and energy transfer, first law of thermodynamics  

3. Thermodynamic properties of substances    

4. Mass and energy balances in open and closed systems  

5. Entropy, second law of thermodynamics  

6. Gas power cycles  

7. Case studies

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

GA1: , GA2: , GA3: , GA4: , GA5: , GA6: , GA7:
On completion of this unit, students should be able to: GA1 GA2 GA3 GA4 GA5 GA6 GA7
1 Understand basic concepts, including the definition, units and physical basis of thermodynamic functions such as internal energy, entropy, enthalpy and specific heat
2 Use thermodynamic tables, phase diagrams and equations of state to obtain thermodynamic property data
3 Define the thermodynamic system of interest in a given mechanical engineering problem, and the relevant thermodynamic properties that describe the system
4 Understand the first and second laws of thermodynamics for closed and open systems
5 Use the first law to solve problems related to closed and open systems, and the first and second laws to calculate the efficiency of Carnot and Rankine cycle heat engines
6 Develop skills in effectively and safely using laboratory equipment in a team environment for experimental investigation and measurement of thermodynamic systems, and in reporting findings.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

  1. Understand basic concepts, including the definition, units and physical basis of thermodynamic functions such as internal energy, entropy, enthalpy and specific heat
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  2. Use thermodynamic tables, phase diagrams and equations of state to obtain thermodynamic property data
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  3. Define the thermodynamic system of interest in a given mechanical engineering problem, and the relevant thermodynamic properties that describe the system
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  4. Understand the first and second laws of thermodynamics for closed and open systems
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  5. Use the first law to solve problems related to closed and open systems, and the first and second laws to calculate the efficiency of Carnot and Rankine cycle heat engines
    • GA1:
    • GA4:
  6. Develop skills in effectively and safely using laboratory equipment in a team environment for experimental investigation and measurement of thermodynamic systems, and in reporting findings.
    • GA6:

Prescribed texts

  • Ross, KA & Potter, MC , 2015, Thermodynamics for Engineers, SI Edition, 1st edn, Cengage Learning, USA. ISBN: 9781133112877.
Prescribed texts may change in future teaching periods.