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Lecture 11 — First law of thermodynamics
Learning objectives
Students should be able to:
- Describe a thermodynamic system, state and process, and calculate the work done by a gas from a pV diagram.
- Apply the first law, ΔU = Q − W, to a process and to a cycle.
- Calculate Q, W and ΔU for isochoric, isobaric, isothermal and adiabatic processes of an ideal gas.
- Analyse a multi-step process or cycle in an unfamiliar problem, choosing the physics without being told.
Contact 1 — Understand
Build the physical idea. Focus: Represent.
Contact 2 — Calculate
Develop the model and method. Focus: Quantify.
Contact 3 — Apply and Consolidate
Apply, integrate and transfer. Focus: Extend and apply.