Spring 2010 X.Jin Syllabus developed.Much of what you will learn about materials science will rely on your comprehension of thermodynamics.Thermodynamics is elegant and beautiful. A practical aspect of each thermodynamic concept will be introduced,then the concept will be rigorously taught,and then how it applies in a particular case will be shown. Here are some excerpts from what others have said about thermodynamics: A theory is the more impressive the greater the simplicity of its premises,the more deferent kinds of things it relates,and the more extended its area of applicability.Therefore the deep impression that classical thermodynamics made upon me.It is the only physical theory of universal content which I am convinced will never be overthrown,within the framework of applicability of its basic concepts. ............A.Einstein Once or twice I have been provoked and asked the company how many of them could describe the Second Law of Thermodynamics.The response was cold:It was also negative.Yet I was asking something which is about the scientific equivalent of"Have you read a work of Shakespeare's?" ........................c.p.Snow The law that entropy always increases-the second law of thermodynamics-holds I think,the supreme position among the laws of Nature.If someone points out to you that your pet theory of the universe is in disagreement with Maxwell's equations-then so much worse for Maxwell equations.If it is found to be contradicted by observation-well these experimentalists do bungle things sometimes. But if your theory is found to be against the second law of Thermodynamics,I can give you no hope; there is nothing for it but to collapse in deepest humiliation. ..................Sir A.S.Eddington Lisa,get in here.In this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics! 、......Homer Simpson 2Spring 2010 © X. Jin Syllabus 2 developed. Much of what you will learn about materials science will rely on your comprehension of thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is elegant and beautiful. A practical aspect of each thermodynamic concept will be introduced, then the concept will be rigorously taught, and then how it applies in a particular case will be shown. Here are some excerpts from what others have said about thermodynamics: A theory is the more impressive the greater the simplicity of its premises, the more deferent kinds of things it relates, and the more extended its area of applicability. Therefore the deep impression that classical thermodynamics made upon me. It is the only physical theory of universal content which I am convinced will never be overthrown, within the framework of applicability of its basic concepts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A. Einstein Once or twice I have been provoked and asked the company how many of them could describe the Second Law of Thermodynamics. The response was cold: It was also negative. Yet I was asking something which is about the scientific equivalent of ―Have you read a work of Shakespeare’s?‖ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C.P. Snow The law that entropy always increases–the second law of thermodynamics–holds I think, the supreme position among the laws of Nature. If someone points out to you that your pet theory of the universe is in disagreement with Maxwell’s equations—then so much worse for Maxwell equations. If it is found to be contradicted by observation—well these experimentalists do bungle things sometimes. But if your theory is found to be against the second law of Thermodynamics, I can give you no hope; there is nothing for it but to collapse in deepest humiliation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sir A.S. Eddington Lisa, get in here. In this house we obey the laws of thermodynamics! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Homer Simpson