Essential Thermodynamics Concepts and Definitions
Classified in Physics
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Core Thermodynamic Principles
- Calorimetry: Measures heat transfer in a process.
- Absolute Zero: Lowest temperature; no molecular motion (0 K).
- Clausius Statement: Heat does not flow from cold to hot by itself.
- Enthalpy: Total heat content (H = U + PV).
- Entropy: Measure of disorder; increases in natural processes.
- Diffusion: Particles move from high to low concentration.
- Efficiency: Useful output divided by energy input.
- Gibbs Free Energy: Energy available to do work (G = H - TS).
- Internal Energy: Energy stored inside a system.
- Heat Capacity: Heat needed to raise an object's temperature by 1°C.
- Latent Heat: Heat for phase change without temperature change.
- Quasistatic Process: Very slow, system stays in equilibrium.
- Reversible Process: Can go backward with no net change.
- Adiabatic Process: No heat is gained or lost (Q = 0).
- Rankine Cycle: Steam cycle used in power plants.
- Volume: Space occupied by a substance.
- Specific Heat: Heat to raise 1g of substance by 1°C.
- Work: Energy transferred by force or expansion.
- Carnot Cycle: Most efficient ideal heat engine cycle.
- Thermal Machines: Convert heat into work (e.g., engines).
System Classifications and Processes
- Thermodynamic System: Any portion of the universe separated for study.
- Surroundings: The region outside the system.
- Boundary: The line that separates the system and the surroundings.
- Universe: System plus surroundings.
- Thermodynamics: The study of heat in motion.
- Adiabatic Process: No heat transfer.
- Open Systems: Allows the exchange of matter and energy.
- Closed System: Only exchanges energy, not matter.
- Isobaric Process: Pressure remains constant.
- Isochoric Process: Volume remains constant (ΔV = 0).
States of Equilibrium
- Thermal Equilibrium: When the temperature is the same throughout the entire system.
- Mechanical Equilibrium: When there is no change in pressure at any point of the system.
- Chemical Equilibrium: When the chemical composition of a system does not vary with time.
