Prospectus

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Physics of Energy

Course
2024-2025

Admission Requirements

Prior knowledge of Analyse 1 (NA), Analyse 2 (NA) and Statistical Physics 1

Description

In this course you develop a Physicist's toolkit to understanding (sustainable) energy resources: You get a working knowledge of Thermodynamics and you are introduced to Hydrodynamics.
The fundamentals of the course would appeal to the theoretically inclined: the Thermodynamics is presented in its theoretical framework (with proofs and derivations where applicable); the Hydrodynamics equation are derived, examined in limiting cases and solved for simple set-ups. However, the emphasis is in making these tractable and on applying them to representative problems (in lectures and exercises) and to one of the most pressing challenges facing society, that of sustainable energy (in project work).
In particular, the course tackles:

  • the fundamentals of Thermodynamics and how these apply to energy extraction (e.g., efficiencies of heat engines and forms of energy)

  • the hydrodynamic equations and their simplified versions that are applicable to power from wind and water.

  • energy transport (conduction, convection, radiation)
    Further, there is room for a special topic among: waves, stellar structure or a suitable topic of interest suggested by the class.

The material is treated in lectures and exercise classes. You apply the framework to a sustainable energy source in a group project.

Course objectives

Upon successful completion of the course you will be able to

  • State the Thermodynamic laws and apply them to classical thermal cycle problems

  • Derive and apply Thermodynamic relations to describe gasses

  • Analyze and characterize fluid flows and work out problems of elementary hydrodynamics

  • Use dimensional analysis to gain insight into hydrodynamic equations and different energy sources and energy conversion systems.

  • Calculate the energy efficiency of energy conversion stages.

  • Use Thermodynamic potentials, derive and apply Maxwell's relations

  • Have an understanding of the phase transitions of water

  • Analyse the TD cycles based on phase transitions

  • Calculate energy gains from energy sources.

  • Calculate energy losses due to different transport mechanisms.

  • Make estimates of resources requirements of different energy extraction technologies.

  • Evaluate the merit of different energy sources based on quantitative comparisons.

Transferable skills

You will

  • Work in groups.

  • Work on a project (case study) unsupervised, to clear goals, plan and deadlines

  • Identify relevant trade literature and use it selectively

  • Prepare a report of an analysis

  • Present the report in class

  • Create a exam-type question/problem on the topics of the course.

Timetable

Schedule
For detailed information go to Timetable in Brightspace

In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.

Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.

Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.

Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.

Mode of Instruction

See Brightspace

Course load

6EC equivalent to 168 hours

Assessment method

Exam (70%); project work (case study, report, and presentation) (30%)

Reading list

Lecture notes.

Registration

As a student, you are responsible for enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.

In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.

There are two enrolment periods per year:

  • Enrolment for the fall opens in July

  • Enrolment for the spring opens in December

See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.

Note:

  • It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.

  • Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.

  • Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.

Contact

Dr. C. Papathanasiou

Remarks

Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.