Biotransport: Key Concepts and Course Structure (Mass and Momentum Transfer)

Vocabulary flashcards covering core terms and concepts from the lecture notes on mass and momentum transfer, course structure, and fundamental transport phenomena.

Blackboard Ultra

The updated learning management system for the course where syllabus, content, homework, projects, and announcements live; official announcements are delivered via email.

Syllabus

The course blueprint outlining learning outcomes, prerequisites, grading, and schedule, used to guide expectations and assessments.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Statements describing what students should be able to do by the end of the course, guiding homework and exam content.

Mass transfer

The study of how mass moves and is transported between phases; introduced first in the course.

Momentum transfer

The study of transport phenomena related to momentum; covered after mass transfer.

Open-book/open-notes exams

Exams conducted in class where you may reference materials, but you may not use computers or internet or other forms of external assistance.

AI policy

AI tools may be used to understand concepts, but assignments must be completed independently; do not rely on AI to generate complete answers.

Console project

A team-based modeling project using a simulation tool; typically run by teams of three with three phases totaling about 30% of the grade.

Console project team policy

Teams are formed by students (three-person teams), and partners are generally kept for all three project phases.

Homework assignments

Approximately eight tasks, each worth about 3%, totaling around 24% of the grade.

Exams structure

Three in-class exams: two midterms (≈10% each) and one final (comprehensive, ≈20%).

Grade components

A combination of homework, console project, class participation/attendance, and exams that sum to 100%.

Unit conversions

The process of converting quantities between different units; essential for solving mass and momentum transfer problems.

Fundamental dimensions / SI base quantities

Seven base quantities used to define all other units (length, mass, time, temperature, amount of substance, electric current, luminous intensity); other quantities are derived from these.

Mole

The amount of substance containing the same number of entities as 0.012 kilograms of carbon-12; Avogadro’s number is 6.022×10^23.

Molar concentration

Number of moles of a species per unit volume (n/V).

Mass concentration

Mass of a species per unit volume (kg/m^3).

Molecular weight (formula weight)

Mass per mole of a molecule; used to convert between mass concentration and molar concentration.

Density

Mass per unit volume; a fundamental property; same concept as mass concentration in many contexts (kg/m^3).

Viscosity

A measure of a liquid’s resistance to flow due to molecular interactions; higher when intermolecular forces are stronger, described by velocity gradients between layers.

Hydrogen bond

A type of intermolecular interaction (common in water) contributing to viscosity by creating “stickiness” between molecules.

Pressure

Force per unit area; in biotransport contexts, often treated similarly to stress (force transmitted through a surface).

Stress

Force per unit area; in this course, often considered interchangeable with pressure.

Atmospheric pressure (1 atm)

Standard reference pressure; 1 atm ≈ 101,325 Pa; commonly used as a reference pressure in problems.

mmHg / inches of mercury

Pressure units based on a column of mercury; mmHg (torr) and inches of mercury (inHg) reflect pressure via mercury height.

Gas constant (R)

R ≈ 8.314 J/(mol·K); constant in the ideal gas law, with units depending on the system.

Ideal gas law

PV = nRT; relates pressure, volume, amount of substance, and temperature for an ideal gas.

Boyle’s Law

At constant temperature, P·V = constant (volume inversely proportional to pressure).

Charles’ Law

At constant pressure, V ∝ T (volume directly proportional to temperature).

Gay‑Lussac’s Law

At constant volume, P ∝ T (pressure directly proportional to temperature, under fixed volume).

Absolute zero

The theoretical temperature at which molecular motion ceases; about −273.15°C (0 K).

Fahrenheit–Celsius conversion

Formulas to convert between Fahrenheit and Celsius; 0°C equals 32°F, and temperatures scale differently at the two zero points.

Open-book exam policy reminders

Exams are open-book/open-notes but disallow internet, cell phones, laptops, or other devices that access the web.

Textbook (Basic Transport Phenomena: Environment Engineering, 4th ed.)

Required textbook for the course; earlier editions may be acceptable; used for learning and assignments.

Additional reading (Heat and Mass Transfer, Biological Context)

Recommended supplementary text; not required but suggested in the notes for broader context.