Ge 212 Thermodynamics of Geological Systems
Winter 2007
Syllabus
Professor: Paul Asimow (253 Arms; asimow@gps; x4133)
Teaching Assistant: There is no T/A. Blame the budget cuts.
Lecture Times:
MWF 11:00 –
11:55 AM in 267 Arms.
Thermodynamics of Natural Systems, by G. M. Anderson, Cambridge University Press 2007 (hereafter TNS). This is a new book, free of the errors that plagued the previous edition, and available as new rather than icky reprinted copies. Cambridge Press has a website of associated free material at http://www.cambridge.org/catalogue/catalogue.asp?isbn=0521847729&ss=res.
Class Website: http://www.asimow.com/Ge212.html may be used in various ways as the class develops.
WEEK 1: January 3-5
Concepts, Mathematical Background, Definitions
Problem Set 1
Reading: TNS Chapters 1-2
WEEK 2 January 8-12
The Laws of Thermodynamics
Problem Set 2
Reading: TNS Chapters 3-4
WEEK 3 January 17-19 (MLK holiday Monday 1/15; Ôadd dayÕ Friday 1/19)
Detour into statistical mechanics; standard state properties
Problem Set 3
Reading: TNS Chapter 5
WEEK 4 January 22-26
One-component systems
Problem Set 4
Reading: TNS Chapter 6
WEEK 5 January 29 - February 2 (Midterms allowed starting Wednesday 1/31)
Ideal and non-ideal solutions
Midterm week bonus: no new problem set
Reading: TNS Chapter 7-8
WEEK 6 February 5-9 (Midterms allowed until Tuesday)
Law of mass action and open systems
Problem Set 5
Reading: TNS Chapters 9-10
WEEK 7 February 12-14 (Baby Asimow is arriving on Friday 2/16, no lecture)
Solids, gases, and stoichiometric liquids
Problem Set 6
Reading: TNS Chapters 11, 13(!), 14
WEEK 8 February 21-23 (PresidentÕs day Monday 2/19; ÔDrop dayÕ Wednesday 2/21)
Aqueous solutions and speciated liquids
Problem Set 7
Reading: TNS Chapters 15-16
WEEK 9 February 26 - March 2
Redox equilibria; irreversible thermodynamics
Problem Set 8
Reading: TNS Chapters 12,18
WEEK 10 March 5-9
Phase equilibria and ternary systems
Reading: TNS Chapter 17
Exam available Friday March 9, due by 5:00 PM Friday March 16.
Grading:
Problem Sets 75%
Final Exam 25%