Elementary Thermodynamics for All

By Prof. Srabani Taraphder | IIT Kharagpur

Learners enrolled: 126

ABOUT THE COURSE:

A one line summary of this course should ideally read as ‘All you needed to know about thermodynamics, but were always afraid to ask’. Starting with the simplicity of only three variables to describe a macroscopic system, we shall go on a quest to find out how we harvest energy and make a machine work to the highest efficiency with emphasis on elementary chemical applications.

INTENDED AUDIENCE: First year undergraduate students of all disciplines covering science and engineering

PREREQUISITES: Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at 10+2 level

INDUSTRY SUPPORT: Any chemical and pharmaceutical industry

Summary

Course Status :	Upcoming
Course Type :	Core
Language for course content :	English
Duration :	12 weeks
Category :	Chemistry
Credit Points :	3
Level :	Undergraduate
Start Date :	20 Jan 2025
End Date :	11 Apr 2025
Enrollment Ends :	27 Jan 2025
Exam Registration Ends :	14 Feb 2025
Exam Date :	27 Apr 2025 IST

Note: This exam date is subject to change based on seat availability. You can check final exam date on your hall ticket.

Page Visits

Course layout

Week 1: Introduction to macroscopic systems and review mathematical foundations

Week 2: Equilibrium under different experimental conditions, Concept of work and heat

Week 3: First law of thermodynamics: Internal energy and Enthalpy

Week 4: Second law of thermodynamics: Carnot’s engine and entropy

Week 5: Equilibrium and spontaneity in isolated systems, entropy of mixtures

Week 6: Internal and free energies in thermodynamics

Week 7: Condition of spontaneity and equilibrium for systems in contact with reservoirs

Week 8: Third law of thermodynamics; molecular interpretation of entropy

Week 9: Thermodynamics of open systems

Week 10: Phase equilibrium

Week 11: Chemical reaction equilibrium

Week 12: Electrochemical equilibrium

Books and references

1. Physical Chemistry, P. W. Atkins
2. Heat and Thermodynamics by Zemansky, Dittman

Instructor bio

Prof. Srabani Taraphder

IIT Kharagpur

Prof. Srabani Taraphder is a theoretical chemist. Her research interest is focused on the physics of biochemical reactions. She uses principles of quantum and statistical mechanics to carry out computer simulation studies of chemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes.

Course certificate

The course is free to enroll and learn from. But if you want a certificate, you have to register and write the proctored exam conducted by us in person at any of the designated exam centres.

The exam is optional for a fee of Rs 1000/- (Rupees one thousand only).

Date and Time of Exams: April 27, 2025 Morning session 9am to 12 noon; Afternoon Session 2pm to 5pm.

Registration url: Announcements will be made when the registration form is open for registrations.

The online registration form has to be filled and the certification exam fee needs to be paid. More details will be made available when the exam registration form is published. If there are any changes, it will be mentioned then.

Please check the form for more details on the cities where the exams will be held, the conditions you agree to when you fill the form etc.

CRITERIA TO GET A CERTIFICATE

Average assignment score = 25% of average of best 8 assignments out of the total 12 assignments given in the course.
Exam score = 75% of the proctored certification exam score out of 100

Final score = Average assignment score + Exam score

Please note that assignments encompass all types (including quizzes, programming tasks, and essay submissions) available in the specific week.

YOU WILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR A CERTIFICATE ONLY IF AVERAGE ASSIGNMENT SCORE >=10/25 AND EXAM SCORE >= 30/75. If one of the 2 criteria is not met, you will not get the certificate even if the Final score >= 40/100.

Certificate will have your name, photograph and the score in the final exam with the breakup.It will have the logos of NPTEL and IIT Kharagpur .It will be e-verifiable at nptel.ac.in/noc.

Only the e-certificate will be made available. Hard copies will not be dispatched.

Once again, thanks for your interest in our online courses and certification. Happy learning.

- NPTEL team

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