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.

 

Required Text:

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.

 

Syllabus:

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%