Facing Midterms

Today saw the end of the thermodynamics chapter for B, C and E Blocks. On the heels of yesterday's work on heat engines, cyclic thermodynamic processes and the 2^nd Law of Thermodynamics, we took up the topic of entropy. Although we didn't approach it quantitatively, make sure you are clear about what entropy reflects, that entropy increases naturally in systems, how the 2^nd Law of Thermodynamics relates to entropy and why we see a net increase in entropy for all processes, even if entropy is decreasing in some parts of a system. Tomorrow, E Block works on a Boyle's Lab for part of the period and starts reviewing for the remainder. B and C Blocks start on midterm review and may hit that lab later, if the midterm week time schedule permits.

F Block worked on a lab that examined pressure and volume in a sample of gas. We used the gas pressure sensor to monitor changes in pressure as we compressed a gas and used the data to document the particulars of Boyle's Law. I also made folks determine how much work was done in the process using the available P-V diagram (luckily, LoggerPro does integration). Tomorrow, we'll discuss the lab and take a look at entropy. Then its review for you guys too, so come prepared with questions!