Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach

Study Notes

The conservation of energy principle is a fundamental law of nature.
Energy can change forms during interactions, but the total amount remains constant.
Energy cannot be created or destroyed.
This is the first law of thermodynamics.
The second law of thermodynamics states that energy has both quality and quantity, processes tend to decrease the quality of energy.
Thermodynamic cycles include:
- Heat Engines
- Refrigeration cycles
Thermodynamics is the science of energy and energy transformations.
The course will cover:
- Understanding energy and energy transfer
- Basic thermodynamic properties of substances
- The relationship between heat and work in systems
- Applications of the First Law of Thermodynamics
- Applying the First Law of Thermodynamics to closed and open systems
- The Second Law of Thermodynamics and its applications
- Classical and statistical definitions of entropy
- Thermodynamic cycles
- Analyzing heat engines and refrigeration cycles
The recommended textbook is "Thermodynamics: An Engineering Approach" by Cengel and Boles.

A system is a quantity of matter or a region in space chosen for study.
Surroundings are the mass or region outside the system.
The boundary is the real or imaginary surface that separates the system from its surroundings.
The boundary can be fixed or movable.

The course grade is comprised of:
- Midterm Exam (20%)
- Quizzes (30%)
- Labs (15%)
- Final Exam (35%)
There are 3 quizzes:
- Quiz 1 (10%)
- Quiz 2 (10%)
- Quiz 3 (10%)
There are 3 labs:
- Lab 1 (5%)
- Lab 2 (5%)
- Lab 3 (5%)

Students absent for 25% or more of class time, tutorials, labs, and/or office hours may be advised to drop the course if absences occur before the drop date.
They may receive a failing grade or an incomplete grade if absences are due to an approved, documented illness or emergency.

The course is taught by Dr. Ahmed Hassan.
His email address is [email protected].
His office is B317.
The course includes 2 lectures and 1 lab per week.
Attendance is mandatory.
Problem solving sessions occur during lab hour in B327.
Office hours are on Tuesdays from 12:45pm to 2:30pm and Thursdays from 12:45pm to 1:15pm.