Ge 212
Thermodynamics of Geological Systems
Spring 2009
Syllabus
Professor: Paul Asimow (253 Arms; asimow@gps; x4133)
Teaching Assistant: Emily
Hamecher (hamecher@gps;
x4290)
Collaboration Policy: See the Ge101 policy sheet.
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: March 30, April 1, April 3
Concepts,
Mathematical Background, Definitions
Problem
Set 1
Reading:
TNS Chapters 1-2
WEEK 2: April 6, 8, 10
The Laws of
Thermodynamics
Problem
Set 2
Reading:
TNS Chapters 3-4
WEEK 3: April 13, 15, 17 (ÔAdd
dayÕ is Friday 4/17)
Detour
into statistical mechanics; standard state properties
Problem
Set 3
Reading:
TNS Chapter 5
WEEK 4: April 20, 22, 24
One-component
systems
Problem
Set 4
Reading:
TNS Chapter 6
WEEK
5: April 29, May 1 (No lecture Monday 4/27)
Ideal
and non-ideal solutions
Midterm
week bonus: no new problem set
Reading:
TNS Chapter 7-8
WEEK 6: May 4, 6, 8
Law
of mass action and open systems
Problem
Set 5
Reading:
TNS Chapters 9-10
WEEK 7: May 11, 13, 15
Solids,
gases, and stoichiometric liquids
Problem
Set 6
Reading:
TNS Chapters 11, 13(!), 14
WEEK 8: May 18, 20, 22 (ÔDrop dayÕ is Wednesday 5/20)
Aqueous
solutions and speciated liquids
Problem
Set 7
Reading:
TNS Chapters 15-16
WEEK 9: May 27, 29 (Monday 2/25
is Memorial Day)
Redox equilibria; irreversible thermodynamics
Problem
Set 8
Reading:
TNS Chapters 12,18
WEEK 10: June 1, 3, 5 (Seniors
are nominally exempt from last week of classes)
Phase
equilibria and ternary systems
Reading:
TNS Chapter 17
Exam available Wednesday June 3,
due by 5:00 PM Wednesday June 10.
(If there are any seniors in the class, their grades must be
reported at 9 AM on June 8, so their exams are due by 5 PM on Friday June 5)
Grading:
Problem
Sets 75%
Final
Exam 25%