Discusses the use of an ideal gas model to explain osmotic equilibrium and nonequilibrium flows through an ideal semipermeable membrane. Included are a justification of the relationship between an ideal gas and a dilute solution, a review of the irreversible thermodynamic flow, and some sample applications to physiology. (CC)

A game simulating an Einstein model of a crystal producing a Boltzmann distribution. Computer-made films present the results with large distributions showing heat flow and some applications to entropy. (TS)

Establishes and illustrates a formal analogy between the motion of a particle and the "motion" of the equilibrium state of a homogeneous system in a quasistatic process. The purpose is to show that there is a much larger set of natural coordinate transformations in thermodynamics. (GA)

Presents a simplified derivation of the equilibrium distribution functions. The derivation proceeds from the change in the Helmholtz free energy when a particle is added to a system of fixed temperature, volume, and chemical potential. The derivations show the relationship between statistical mechanics and macroscopic thermodynamics. (Author/GA)

Discusses the concepts involved in constructing a meaningful free energy plot for a chemical reaction and how these concepts are sometimes insufficiently represented in textbooks. (MLH)

Describes how to construct an isothermal calorimeter and lists typical results of a displacement reaction using zinc. (LS)

Test items relating to Project Physics Unit 3 are presented in this booklet. Included are 70 multiple-choice and 20 problem-and-essay questions. Concepts of mechanics are examined on energy, momentum, kinetic theory of gases, pulse analyses, "heat death," water waves, power, conservation laws, normal distribution, thermodynamic laws, and…

Discusses proposed fallacies in basic thermodynamic statements often presented as absolute truths. (SL)

Describes a simulated laboratory research project in which the thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of ammonia synthesis are simulated on a computer. (MLH)

Presents syllabuses for various British curriculum projects in physics and chemistry that include thermodynamics concepts. (MLH)

Presents fundamentals of the glassy state which can serve as an introductory, phenomenological, and nonmathematical exposure to undergraduates in at most two lectures. Suggests the use of the material following students' acquisition of an elementary knowledge of thermodynamics, liquids, and the crystalline state. (CC)

Summarizes the thermodynamics of macromolecular systems, including theories and experiments of cyclic energy conversion with rubber and collagen as working substances. Indicates that an early introduction into the concept of chemical potential and solution thermodynamics is made possible through the study of the cyclic processes. (CC)