Online course Getting Started with Thermodynamics

What will I learn?

The online thermodynamics course (in its free or paid mode), First Steps in Thermodynamics from the Universitat Politècnica de València, will teach youthe basic concepts of thermodynamics, the properties of pure substances, thermodynamic processes and cycles, heat engines and refrigerators, and the applications of thermodynamics in engineering and science. Furthermore, you will see practical examples of how to solve thermodynamics problems using the appropriate equations and diagrams.The course is aimed at students, professionals, and researchers interested in thermodynamics and its applications. It is recommended to have some background in mathematics, physics, and chemistry.The course has a rigorous and didactic approach, combining clear and detailed explanations with examples and activities that will help you consolidate your learning. The course also offers additional resources, such as readings, videos, and links of interest, which you can consult to broaden your knowledge and delve into the topics that interest you most.This course is available on the edX platform, one of the most prestigious in the world for online education, founded by MIT and Harvard University. It can be taken in a completely free mode or by paying a small fee.

Contents of the online thermodynamics course, First Steps in Thermodynamics

In the course, you will be able to access the following content:

1. Introduction to thermodynamics: general concepts, history, system and surroundings, properties and state, equilibrium and process, variables and equations of state, thermodynamic diagrams, work and heat, units and conversions.
2. First law of thermodynamics: statement and applications, internal energy, enthalpy and mechanical energy, energy balance, heat capacity, specific heat and latent heat, phase changes, steam and saturated liquid tables, Meyer’s equation.
3. Second law of thermodynamics: statement and applications, heat engines and refrigerators, efficiency and coefficient of performance, Carnot cycles, thermodynamic temperature scale, entropy, irreversibility, entropy balance, principle of entropy increase.
4. Properties of mixtures: composition and mole fraction, saturation pressure and temperature, phase diagrams, phase rule, partial and residual properties, equations of state for mixtures, fugacity coefficient, compressibility factor.
5. Chemical reactions: stoichiometry, mass balance, reactants and products, extent of reaction, enthalpy and entropy of reaction, Gibbs free energy, chemical equilibrium, equilibrium constant, criterion of Gibbs free energy minimization.
6. Applications of thermodynamics: case studies in different subject areas, such as internal combustion engines, gas turbines, steam cycles, refrigeration cycles, cogeneration cycles, fuel cells, combustion and gasification, etc.

Free or paid thermodynamics course

The course has two modalities: free and paid. The free thermodynamics course mode allows you to access all the course content, including videos, readings, exercises, and discussion forums. The paid modality also offers you the possibility of obtaining a verified certificate from edX, which certifies your participation and completion of the course. This certificate can be of great value to your curriculum vitae, as it demonstrates your interest and competence in the field of thermodynamics, one of the most important areas of physics. Additionally, by paying for the course, you will be contributing to the ability of the Universitat Politècnica de València and edX to continue offering quality courses that are accessible to everyone. If you want to know more about the cost and benefits of this modality, I invite you to visit the course page on edX, where you will find all the information you need. In conclusion, the online thermodynamics course (in its free or paid mode), First Steps in Thermodynamics, is a course that provides you with a unique opportunity to acquire solid foundations in the important field of thermodynamics and understand the underlying principles of its application in the real world. Do not hesitate any longer and sign up for the course now. You will not regret it!