Title
Updates to a Sequence of Thermodynamics Experiments for Mechanical Engineering Technology Students
Document Type
Article
Department or Administrative Unit
Engineering Technologies, Safety, and Construction
Publication Date
6-23-2013
Abstract
This paper presents an outline of thermodynamics experiments and lab activities that accompany the introductory thermodynamics course for Mechanical Engineering Technology juniors at Central Washington University (CWU) in Ellensburg, Washington. It outlines and describes the current suite of thermodynamics lab activities, comparing the current suite of seven lab activities to a sequence outlined in an ASEE conference paper presented in 1995. Some lab activities in that paper have been replaced, while others have been updated. For example an experiment to measure the Joule-Thomson coefficient has been replaced with a First Law energy balance activity and the former First Law experiment has transitioned into a system efficiency activity. Both the previous and current experiments have been found to be useful in bridging the gap between theory and practice. The experiments expose the student to modern instrumentation and the collection and processing of data. Qualitative assessment of current student outcomes is addressed with a student survey. The purpose of this paper is to present these lab activities so that other thermodynamics instructors may learn from our experience.
Recommended Citation
Beardsley, R. A. (2013, June), Updates to a Sequence of Thermodynamics Experiments for Mechanical Engineering Technology Students Paper presented at 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Atlanta, Georgia. 10.18260/1-2--22672
Journal
2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition
Rights
© 2013 American Society for Engineering Education.
Included in
Curriculum and Instruction Commons, Science and Mathematics Education Commons, Thermodynamics Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in the proceedings of the 2013 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition. The full-text article from the publisher can be found here.