Structure of Matter and Thermodynamics
Code: 100139 ECTS Credits: 6| Degree | Type | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Physics | FB | 2 |
Contact
- Name:
- Juan Camacho Castro
- Email:
- juan.camacho@uab.cat
Teachers
- Francisco Javier Bafaluy Bafaluy
- Luis Font Guiteras
- Alvaro Corral Cano
- Markus Gaug
Teaching groups languages
You can view this information at the end of this document.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of physics and mathematics is required; and be eager to work and learn
Objectives and Contextualisation
This course provides an introduction to the microscopic and macroscopic view of matter. It starts with a microscopic description, from elementary particles to lasers, passing from atomic nuclei, atoms, molecules and solids. It follows a thermodynamic description, almost independent of the microscopic details of the system. The microscopic part of the course is introductory. The macroscopic one is given in more depth, establishing and working the fundamental laws of thermodynamics.
Objectives:
1) Understand the basic concepts of the structure of matter (kinetic theory of gases, elementary particles, quantum physics, atomic physics, nuclear physics, physics of solids) at an introductory level.
2) Understand the fundamental laws of thermodynamics, and to know how to apply them.
3) Identify and solve characteristic problems of these areas of physics
4) Show some aspects of the unity of physics, and the relationship between macroscopic and microscopic descriptions
5) To relate the physical aspects of everyday life and nature around us
6) Discuss the relationship between theoretical models and real physical systems
Competences
- Act with ethical responsibility and respect for fundamental rights and duties, diversity and democratic values.
- Carry out academic work independently using bibliography (especially in English), databases and through collaboration with other professionals
- Communicate complex information in an effective, clear and concise manner, either orally, in writing or through ICTs, and before both specialist and general publics
- Develop strategies for analysis, synthesis and communication that allow the concepts of physics to be transmitted in educational and dissemination-based contexts
- Formulate and address physical problems identifying the most relevant principles and using approximations, if necessary, to reach a solution that must be presented, specifying assumptions and approximations
- Know the fundamentals of the main areas of physics and understand them
- Make changes to methods and processes in the area of knowledge in order to provide innovative responses to society's needs and demands.
- Use critical reasoning, show analytical skills, correctly use technical language and develop logical arguments
- Use mathematics to describe the physical world, selecting appropriate tools, building appropriate models, interpreting and comparing results critically with experimentation and observation
- Work independently, have personal initiative and self-organisational skills in achieving results, in planning and in executing a project
Learning Outcomes
- Analyse and interpret the main experiments related to basic physics.
- Analyse certain open questions in contemporary physics and explain them clearly.
- Apply quantum physics in simple devices of industrial interest (diodes, light-emitting diodes, lasers, solar cells).
- Carry out academic work independently using bibliography (especially in English), databases and through collaboration with other professionals
- Communicate complex information in an effective, clear and concise manner, either orally, in writing or through ICTs, in front of both specialist and general publics.
- Contrast the sharpness of mathematical results with margins of error in experimental observations.
- Describe the basis of heat engines, refrigerators and heat pumps.
- Describe the structure of the atom and molecules, and corresponding spectra.
- Explain the explicit or implicit code of practice of one's own area of knowledge.
- Identify situations in which a change or improvement is needed.
- Identify the consequences of the second law of thermodynamics.
- Interact across diverse areas of basic physics.
- List and describe the four principles of thermodynamics.
- Make mathematical rigor compatible with approximate physical modelling.
- Relate nuclear interaction with radioactivity and nuclear reactions.
- Relate quantum physics with the electrical conductivity properties of materials.
- Relate the basic concepts of physics with scientific, industrial and everyday subjects.
- Select good variables and carry out correct simplifications.
- Use complex numbers.
- Use critical reasoning, show analytical skills, correctly use technical language and develop logical arguments
- Use differential and integral calculus.
- Use linear transformations and matrix calculus.
- Work independently, take initiative itself, be able to organize to achieve results and to plan and execute a project.
Content
Equipartition Theorem and specific heats
Planck and Einstein-de Broglie Relations
Bohr model of the hydrogen atom
Pauli exclusion and periodic table of chemical elements
Atomic nuclei. Nuclear forces. Nuclear reactions. Radioactivity.
Elementary particles, quarks, leptons, intermediary bosons
Semiconductors and metals. Diodes, transistors, solar cells, LEDs, lasers.
Thermodynamics
Heat transport. Conduction, convection and radiation
Zero Principle. Temperature. Equations of state
First law of thermodynamics. Heat, work, internal energy. Heat engines
Second Law of Thermodynamics (I). Statements of Clausius and Kelvin-Planck. Carnot's theorem. Absolute temperature
Second Law of Thermodynamics (II). Entropy. Degradation of energy. Thermodynamic potentials. Gibbs equation
Activities and Methodology
| Title | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type: Directed | |||
| Exercises class | 20 | 0.8 | 2, 1, 3, 14, 6, 7, 8, 13, 11, 17, 16, 15, 12, 18, 21, 19, 22 |
| Theory lectures | 30 | 1.2 | 2, 1, 3, 14, 6, 7, 8, 13, 11, 17, 16, 15, 12, 18, 21, 19, 22 |
| Type: Supervised | |||
| Delivery activities | 5 | 0.2 | 2, 1, 3, 14, 6, 7, 8, 13, 11, 17, 16, 15, 12, 18, 21, 19, 22 |
| Type: Autonomous | |||
| Personal work | 66 | 2.64 | 2, 1, 3, 14, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 4, 11, 17, 16, 15, 12, 18, 21, 19, 22 |
This course provides an introduction to the microscopic and macroscopic view of matter. In some subjects, which are relatively simple equations, the description is quantitative; in others, it is more qualitative endeavoring to introduce a clear conceptual framework, which can naturally raise questions and bring interest in the development of the courses offered by the subjects later. The thermodynamic block is exposed in higher depth, establishing the solid grounds of its principles.
It seeks to allow the subject into contact with some of the most active borders of physics today, so that the student may already have the feeling that it is a living science. And it will highlight the relationship between physics and nature, everyday life and technology.
Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.
Assessment
Continous Assessment Activities
| Title | Weighting | Hours | ECTS | Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delivered exercises | 15% | 20 | 0.8 | 2, 14, 5, 7, 13, 4, 11, 10, 20, 17, 18, 23 |
| Partial exams | 85% | 6 | 0.24 | 2, 1, 3, 14, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 9, 4, 11, 10, 20, 17, 16, 15, 12, 18, 21, 19, 22 |
| Resit exam | 85% | 3 | 0.12 | 2, 1, 3, 14, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13, 9, 4, 11, 10, 20, 17, 16, 15, 12, 18, 21, 19, 22 |
The assessment consists of:
1. Delivered problems and projects (15% of the overall score)
It will consist of the presentation of solved selected problems and/or projects.
2. Exams (85% of the overall score)
- There will be two partial exams, one for each block of the course. Each of these tests has the same weight.
- Resit exam.
The final mark will be calculated as follows: 0.85*(Partial1+Partial2)/2+0.15*(delivery1+delivery2)/2
UNIQUE ASSESSMENT
Students who have accepted the single assessment modality will have to take a final test which will consist of a written exam that including the resolution of problems and theoretical questions. This test will take place on the same day as the second continuous assessment exam. There will be an exam for each block of the course: Structure of Matter, and Thermodynamics. When you have finished, you will hand in all the assignments for both parts of the course.
The final grade is obtained in the same way as in the continuous assessment: the exam weighs 85% (the two blocks have the same weight) of the final grade and the assignments 15%.
The review of the final grade follows the same procedure as for continuous assessment.
The same non-assessable criterion will be applied as for continuous assessment.
Important: To average with the other 15% of the grade, a grade of 4 out of 10 or higher must be obtained in each of the two parts of the exam.
If the grade of any exam does not reach 4 or the final grade does not reach 5, the student has another opportunity to pass the subject through the recovery exam that will be held on the date set by the coordination ofthe qualification The same recovery system will be applied as for the continuous assessment: the part of the grade corresponding to theory and problems (85%) can be recovered, the 15% of the delivery part cannot.
The review of the final qualification follows the same procedure as for the continuous assessmentBibliography
In the microscopic part, we will follow P. Tipler and A. Mosca, Física, 6 edició, Editorial Reverté, Barcelona, 2010.
In the Thermodynamics part we will go deeper:
- M. Criado-Sancho y J. Casas-Vázquez, Termodinámica química y de los procesos irreversibles, 2ª edición, Addison Wesley, Madrid, 2004
- M.W. Zemansky y R.H. Dittman, Calor y termodinámica, sexta edición, McGraw-Hill, Madrid, 1990
- C.J. Adkins, Termodinámica del equilibrio, Reverté, Barcelona, 1977.
- D. Kondepudi & I. Prigogine, Modern Thermodynamics, Wiley (1998).
It is recommended to read, in parallel, some other books and articles
Software
There is no specific software for the subject
Groups and Languages
Please note that this information is provisional until 30 November 2025. You can check it through this link. To consult the language you will need to enter the CODE of the subject.
| Name | Group | Language | Semester | Turn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 1 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (PAUL) Classroom practices | 2 | Catalan | second semester | morning-mixed |
| (TE) Theory | 1 | Catalan/Spanish | second semester | morning-mixed |