The adoption and use of the lost-work concept has been strongly hindered by the existence in the literature of two different quantities which bear the name "lost work." These two different concepts are discussed, focusing on their similarities and differences. Also discussed are advantages of the lost-work approach over other approaches.…

Describes the working of the Adiabatic Gas Law Apparatus, a useful tool for measuring the pressure, temperature, and volume of a variety of gases undergoing compressions and expansions. Describes the adaptation of this apparatus to perform isothermal measurements and discusses the theory behind the adiabatic and isothermal processes. (JRH)

This brochure contains an activity for grades 8-12 students that focuses on the reuse of waste as an energy source by burning and converting it into energy. For this experiment students construct a calorimeter from simple recyclable material. The calorimeter is used to measure the amount of energy stored in paper and yard waste that could be used…

Argues that previous definitions of work and heat are inappropriate. Presents new definitions that are formulated using experimental quantities, claiming that they apply equally well to reversible and irreversible processes. Indicates some of the problems with earlier definitions and applies the new definitions to the First Law of thermodynamics.…

Shows how a problem from engineering thermodynamics is used to teach process design. Advantages of using this method are noted. (JN)

Shows how to present thermodynamic concepts for reactions taking place in the "dry wall" (solids and gases), allowing chemists to study the making and breaking of bonds and the change in polar character of bonds. (JN)

Describes a combustion laboratory facility and experiments for a senior-level (undergraduate) course in mechanical engineering. The experiment reinforces basic thermodynamic concepts and provides many students with their first opportunity to work with a combustion system. (DH)

Describes an interactive, screen-oriented, BASIC computer program for an IBM PC microcomputer with graphics capability. The program (which uses about 34K RAM and utilizes a menu format) represents a general method for calculating thermodynamic properties of chemical reactions from thermal data for reactants and products. (JN)

Provides background information designed to aid a physical chemistry student in using the virial equation of state in deriving expressions for other thermodynamic properties, such as writing the Joule and Joule-Thomson coefficients in terms of virial expansions. (CS)

Demonstrates misconceptions of the meaning of temperature based on classical kinetic energy. Discusses some misconceptions about negative temperatures and the effect of compression. (YP)

Discusses the physical basis and current understanding of hydrophobic effects. The thermodynamic background of the effects, hydrophobic hydration, and hydrophobic interactions are described. Four existing controversies are outlined. (YP)

Discusses interesting aspects of the Carnot cycle and other thermodynamic cycles that are generally not dealt with in elementary physics texts. Presents examples that challenge the student to think about the extraction of net work from a cycle. (JRH)

Describes an experiment for second year students designed to illustrate lectures devoted to electrochemistry and thermodynamics. (SL)

Problems of equilibria in condensed phases (particularly those involving solutes in dilute solutions) are encountered by students in their laboratory work; the thermodynamics of these equilibria is neglected in many textbooks. Therefore, several aspects of this topic are explored, focusing on pressure dependence and choice of standard state. (JN)

Reviews "Thermodynamics" (Cross Educational Software) and "Calorimetry and Thermodynamics" (Educational Materials and Equipment Company). The first package has seven programs (briefly described) while the second package contains virtually an identical subset of the Cross package. (JN)