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Course Code: PHY 205 
Course Title: Thermal Physics 
No. of Units: 3 
Course Duration: Three hours of theory per week for 15 weeks.  
Status: Compulsory 
Course Email Address: phy205@futa.edu.ng 
Course Webpage: http://www.fwt.futa.edu.ng/courseschedule.php?coursecode=PHY%205 
Prerequisite: PHY 103 and MTS 104 
 
COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Dr. J. S. Ojo  
Room 22, Physics Building Obakekere  
Dept. of Physics 
The Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria 
Email: ojojs_74@futa.edu.ng

This is a compulsory course that is designed to meet the need of students in other fields such as 
Physics (SOS), AGP (SEMS), AGY (SEMS) and RSG (SEMS). Topics to be covered include: 
The foundation of classical thermodynamics including Zeroth laws and definition of 
temperature; first law of thermodynamics, work, heat and internal energy. Carnot cycles and 
second law of thermodynamics; Entropy and irreversibility, thermodynamic potentials and 
Maxwell relations, Applications of thermodynamics laws (1st and 2nd); Qualitative discussion of 
phase transitions; third law of thermodynamics, ideal and real gases, Elementary kinetic theory 
of gases including Boltzmann constant, Maxwell-Boltzmann law of distribution of velocities. 
Simple applications of the distribution law and 3rd law of thermodynamics.

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 introduce students to the basic foundation on classical thermodynamics; and 
 provide students with simple application on laws of thermodynamic and how it relates to

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to: 
(Knowledge based)

 
explain, and understand the basic foundation of classical thermodynamics;

 
distinguish thermodynamics laws; and

 
understand the basic applications of thermodynamics laws and potentials;

o apply to some real life applications; and 
o further apply the course to their respective fields of learning

Attendance: It is expected that every student will be in class for lectures and also participate in 
all class exercises. Attendance records will be kept and used to determine each person’s 
qualification to sit for the final examination. In case of illness or other unavoidable cause of 
absence, the student must communicate as soon as possible with any of the instructors, indicating 
the reason for the absence.

Academic Integrity: Violations of academic integrity, including dishonesty in assignments, 
examinations, or other academic performances are prohibited.  You are not allowed to make 
copies of another person’s work and submit it as your own; that is plagiarism. All cases of 
academic dishonesty will be reported to the University Management for appropriate sanctions in

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accordance with the guidelines for handling students’ misconduct as spelt out in the Students’ 
Handbook.

Assignments and Group Work: Students are expected to submit assignments as scheduled 
through their course representative. Failure to submit an assignment as at when due will earn you 
zero for that assignment. Only under extenuating circumstances, for which a student has the 
instructor in advance, will late submission of assignments be permitted.

Code of Conduct in Lecture Rooms and Laboratories: Students should turn off their cell phones 
during lectures. Students are prohibited from engaging in other activities (such as texting, 
watching videos, etc.) during lectures. Food and drinks are not permitted in the lecture hall.

1 Reif F (1965): Fundamentals of statistical and Thermal Physics, McGraw Hill Publishing

2Frederick J. Bueche and H. Eugene, B. (2009). Schaum’s outline of theory and problems of

college Physics (9th edition),Schaums, pp 171-209.

3 Schroeder D.V. (2000): An Introduction to Thermal Physics, Addison-Wesley-Longman, 2000

4Adeyemi, B (2009).Thermal and Statistical Physics (A new approach). Reprinted. Titilayo

5Charles Kittel and Herbert Kromer (1980): “Thermal Physics”, second edition, Freeman

5Chike-Obi (1991). “Introduction to Thermal Physics” Heinemann Educational Books, Nig

Legend 
1- Available in the University Library 
2- Available in Departmental/School Libraries 
3- Available on the Internet. 
4- Available as Personal Collection 
5- Available in local bookshops.

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1 
Introduction and Course Overview- 
foundation of classical thermodynamics 
including Zeroth laws and definition of 
temperature;

During this first class, the 
expectation of the students from the 
course will be documented. The 
course will also review some of the 
familiar concepts related to the 
conservation of energy (the first law) 
as applied to thermodynamics.  
Quantities such as temperature, 
internal energy, work and heat will 
be introduced

First law of thermodynamics, work, heat and 
internal energy

The lecture will involve explanation 
of some thermodynamics terms and 
the first law of thermodynamics

 Carnot cycle 
 Efficiency of a machine 
 Entropy 
  Reversible and irreversibility,  
 thermodynamic potentials; and 
 
 Maxwell relations,

When learning on thermodynamics 
systems, students will be taught on 
what laws of thermodynamics meant. 
In addition,  precise relation between 
temperature and entropy will be 
given by considering interactions 
between two macroscopic systems

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Applications of First and Second law of 
thermodynamics

Exercises will involve some simple 
applications on first and second law 
of thermodynamics. The first and 
second laws are then applied to the 
discussion of engines and 
refrigerators.

7 & 8 
Qualitative discussion of phase transitions; 
Students will be taught on the phase 
transitions from solid to liquid and 
liquid to gas and equilibrium 
between states of  matter and the 
thermodynamics processes that takes 
place during the transitions will be 
the next main topic

9 & 10 
Third law of thermodynamics, ideal and real 
gases and its applications

Students will be taught third law of 
thermodynamics and apply it to ideal 
and real gases

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11 & 12 
Elementary kinetic theory of gases including 
Boltzmann constant

Students will be taught on 
elementary kinetic theory and its 
principles

13 & 14 
 Maxwell-Boltzmann law of distribution of

 Simple applications of the distribution law

Maxwell –Boltzmann is a very 
powerful relation in 
thermodynamic theory. Students 
will be taught on how to derive the 
relation and apply it to distribution 
law. Finally, introduction to 
classical Boltzmann statistics and 
quantum statistics will wrap up the 
course

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REVISION 
This is the week preceding the final 
examination. At this time, 
evaluation will be done to assess 
how far the students’ expectations 
for the course have been met.

PHY 205 (2)

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