Thermodynamics
Overview
This unit of study aims to further develop an understanding of principles of work and energy, appreciate the design principles in thermo-fluid systems, analyse existing thermo-fluid systems and contribute to new designs.
Requisites
01-June-2025
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Describe the thermodynamics concepts such as: energy; energy transfer; general energy analysis in systems; mass and energy balance; entropy balance; 0th, 1st, 2nd and 3rd Law of Thermodynamics (K1, K3, S1, S2)
- Use the property tables and identify the correct properties of pure substances (K2, K3, S1, S2)
- Solve numeric problems by applying the fundamental principles of thermodynamics (K2, K3, S1, S2)
- Analyse mass, energy and entropy in closed and open systems (k2, K3, S2)
- Safely conduct laboratory experiments, analyse and synthesize the experimental data, and generate laboratory reports (K2, K3, S1, S2)
- Analyse existing thermo-fluid systems and contribute to new designs (K3, K4, S2)
- Appreciate and describe the role of thermodynamics science in building a sustainable society (K3, K4)
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Lecture |
3.00 | 6 weeks | 18 |
| Live Online Lecture |
3.00 | 6 weeks | 18 |
| On-campus Class |
2.00 | 10 weeks | 20 |
| Live Online Class |
2.00 | 10 weeks | 20 |
| On-campus Practical |
2.00 | 2 weeks | 4 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
5.83 | 12 weeks | 70 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Individual/Group | 15 - 35% | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Examination | Individual | 40 - 60% | 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 |
| Laboratory Practicals | Individual/Group | 10 - 15% | 3,4,5,6 |
| Mid-Semester Test | Individual | 10 - 20% | 1,2,3,4,6,7 |
Hurdle
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all ULOs to a minimum standard, an undergraduate student must have achieved:
(i) An aggregate mark of 50% or more, and(ii) at least 40% in the final exam, and(iii) must complete all lab work.Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirements (ii) and (iii) will receive a maximum of 45% as the total mark for the unit.
Content
- Introduction and Basic Concept of Thermodynamics
- General Energy Analysis
- Green/Renewable Energy and Sustainable Concept
- Properties of Pure Working Fluids
- The First Law of Thermodynamics
- The Second Law of Thermodynamics
- Concept of Entropy
- Gas Power Cycles
- Vapour and Combined Power Cycles
- Refrigeration and Heat Pumps
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.