Living Physics Portal: Living Physics 12 - Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

Abstract: The basic concepts of thermodynamics — thermal and chemical energy, entropy, enthalpy, and free energy — are essential for life-science students. They are introduced to these ideas in biology and chemistry classes. But those introductions typically occur quickly in complex realistic situations, not giving students the opportunity to build strong fundamental understandings of the physical meanings of these quantities. In this chapter, we build on our study of random motion and diffusion (Chapter 6) and build these concepts in simple toy models, allowing students to develop a sense of what physically lies behind the mathematics.

Resource Types: Student reading, Instructor supplement, Restricted access

Remote Learning Ready: This resource has been designed or adapted for use in remote learning.

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TopHat

Authors:

Edward Redish (he/him)

University of Maryland, College Park

Ginny Redish

Self

NEXUS Physics

Living Physics Portal Team

TOPICS

Physics Topics:

Thermo & Stat Mech > Ensembles > Boltzmann Distribution, Equipartition Theorem, Macrostate, Microstate

Thermo & Stat Mech > First Law

Thermo & Stat Mech > Kinetic and Diffusive Processes > Kinetic Theory

Thermo & Stat Mech > Models > Ideal Gas

Thermo & Stat Mech > Probability > General, Random Walks

Thermo & Stat Mech > Second and Third Law > Entropy, Second Law Formulations, Thermodynamic Potentials

Life Sciences Topics:

Cross-cutting Biological Concepts > Matter/energy Transfer & Transforms

Molecular and Cellular Biology > Bioenergetics, Cellular Dynamics

Chemistry Topics:

Chemical Energetics > Energy, Enthalpy, Thermodynamic State

Chemical Equilibria > Dynamic Equilibrium

Gases > Ideal Gas Law

Spontaneity > Entropy

Math Topics:

Algebra; Exponentials and Logarithms; Graphical Analysis; Probability; Statistics

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Living Physics - Vol. 2 > Living Physics 12 - Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

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License: CC BY-NC-SA - Attribution, No Commercial uses and Share Alike. Derivative works must have the same license.

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