PHY 102
General Physics II
2
Course Description
On completion of this course, students should be able to:
1. explain the concepts of heat and temperature and relate the temperature scales;
2. derive, and apply the fundamental thermodynamic relations to thermal systems;
3. describe and explain the first and second laws of thermodynamics, and the concept of
entropy;
4. state the assumptions of the kinetic theory and apply techniques of describing macroscopic
behaviour;
5. deduce the formalism of thermodynamics and apply it to simple systems in thermal
equilibrium; and
6. describe and determine the effect of forces and deformation of materials and surfaces.
Course Outline
Heat, temperature and temperature scales. Gas laws; general gas equation, thermal conductivity.
First Law of thermodynamics, heat, work and internal energy. Reversibility, second law of
thermodynamics, heat engines and entropy. Zero’s law of thermodynamics, kinetic theory of
gases, molecular collisions and mean free path. Elasticity, Hooke's law, Young's, shear and bulk
moduli. Hydrostatics, pressure, buoyancy, Archimedes' principles. Bernoulli’s equation and
incompressible fluid flow. Surface tension, adhesion, cohesion, viscosity, capillarity, drops and
bubbles.