Name the Experiment: More Maxwell Relations

Highlights of the activity

1. This small group activity is designed to help upper-division undergraduate students connect thermodynamic derivatives with experiments that measure those quantities.
2. Students use a Maxwell relation to design an experiment to measure a given partial derivative that would otherwise be challenging to measure.
3. The compare-and-contrast wrap-up discussion highlights the process of finding the relevant Maxwell relation.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

Previously, the students have already had experience with using Maxwell relations to find a partial derivative that is easier to measure. This activity is similar, and will reinforce the idea that Maxwell relations can be incredibly useful in experimentation. As well, by using certain examples, students will also realize that sometimes Maxwell relations make it harder to measure a change. Students will learn that they need to recognize what partial derivatives are easier to measure. This will help develop their ability to think critically.

Reflections

• Reflections from the original implementation.

• Reflections from "official" adapters/adopters.

• Reflections from the general public.

Instructor's Guide

• Wiki version