TER 201E - Thermodynamics

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

Explain fundamental thermodynamic concepts and laws using appropriate terminology, including energy, work, heat, and the properties of pure substances.

Apply the first law of thermodynamics to closed and open systems for analyzing energy balances in various thermodynamic processes.

Evaluate the directionality of processes using the second law of thermodynamics, including entropy analysis and the concept of reversible versus irreversible processes.

Analyze the performance of thermodynamic cycles, including gas power cycles (e.g., Otto, Diesel, Brayton) and vapor power cycles (e.g., Rankine), to determine thermal efficiency and work output.

Assess the operation and efficiency of refrigeration and heat pump systems, applying thermodynamic principles to determine coefficients of performance and system behavior.

Course Description

This course introduces the fundamental principles of thermodynamics with applications to engineering systems. Topics include thermodynamic concepts and terminology, energy, work, and heat transfer; properties of pure substances; and the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The course covers reversible and irreversible processes, entropy, and the analysis of thermodynamic cycles. Students will study gas and vapor power systems, as well as refrigeration and heat pump cycles.