Unit of Study PHYS2002 Physics III: Energy and Thermodynamics (2025)

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Unit Snapshot

Unit type

UG Coursework Unit
Credit points

12
Faculty & College

Faculty of Science and Engineering
Placement

No

Unit description

Introduces the fundamentals of thermodynamics, the branch of physics that deals with the relationships between heat and other forms of energy. In broad terms, thermodynamics deals with the transfer of energy from one place to another and from one form to another. Students will also learn about heat, which is a form of energy that can be converted into a specific amount of work. These various forms of energy play crucial roles in the operation of machinery.

Unit content

Module 1: Introductory concepts

Module 2: First law of Thermodynamics and its applications

Module 3: Second law of thermodynamics and its applications

Module 4: Thermodynamic cycles and energy conversion

Module 5: Introduction to heat transfer

Module 6: Energy Recovery

Availabilities

Location	Domestic	International
Gold Coast	Term1	Term1
Lismore	Term1	Term1
Online	Term1	N/A

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

examine concepts of energy and thermodynamics across various fields of application

perform calculations related to thermodynamic properties (pressure, temperature, volume, heat capacity, internal energy, enthalpy, entropy), the first law of thermodynamics and the second law of thermodynamics.

communicate how properties of energy and thermodynamics are used across various fields of application

apply knowledge of thermodynamics cycles (e.g. power generation or refrigeration) to solve problems in an engineering context such as unit design, improving efficiency or minimising costs.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Report	60%
Report	40%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Report	60%
Report	40%

Teaching method

Workshop 1 hour (Weekly)

Tutorial 2 hours (Weekly)

Assessment
Report	60%
Report	40%

Prescribed learning resources

Prescribed Texts

Prescribed text information is not currently available.

Prescribed Resources/Equipment

Prescribed resources/equipment information is not currently available.

Prescribed Learning Resources may change in future Teaching Periods.

Fee information

Domestic

Commonwealth Supported courses
For information regarding Student Contribution Amounts please visit the Student Contribution Amounts.

Fee paying courses
For postgraduate or undergraduate full-fee paying courses please check Domestic Postgraduate Fees OR Domestic Undergraduate Fees.

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