Student understanding of the first law and second law of thermodynamics

Abstract

We discuss common student difficulties with the first and second laws of thermodynamics found using a validated conceptual multiple-choice survey called the survey of thermodynamic processes and first and second laws suitable for introductory physics courses. The analysis of data from more than a thousand students using the validated survey at six different colleges in the US shows that not only introductory but also advanced physics students have many common difficulties with these concepts after traditional lecture-based instruction in relevant concepts. The findings of the common student difficulties with the first and second laws of thermodynamics discussed here can be useful for developing effective curricula and pedagogies in order to reduce student difficulties.