The First Law of Thermodynamics

A thermodynamic system is a set of objects whose thermodynamic properties are of interest. The system is considered to be embedded in its surroundings or …

In mechanics, work is done on an object when the force acting on it displaces the object. In thermodynamics, work done on a system can be estimated when …

Consider the two thermodynamic processes involving an ideal gas that are represented by paths AC and ABC in Figure 1: In the first process for path A to …

The work done by a thermodynamic system depends not only on the initial and final states but also on the intermediate states—that is, on the path. …

The internal energy of a thermodynamic system is the sum of the kinetic and potential energies of all the molecules or entities in the system. The kinetic …

A change in the internal energy of a system depends on the the net heat transfer into the system and the net work done by the system. The first law of …

The first law of thermodynamics states that the change in internal energy of the system is equal to the net heat transfer into the system minus the net …

A thermodynamic system with zero heat exchange and work is an isolated system. For these systems, the internal energy remains constant. In the case of a …

A thermodynamic process that occurs at constant temperature is called an isothermal process. Heat slowly flows into the system or out of the system to …

A thermodynamic process that occurs at constant volume is called an isochoric process. According to the first law of thermodynamics, heat supplied or …

Heat capacity is the ratio of heat absorbed by the substance corresponding to its temperature change. It is also called thermal capacity and the SI unit …

For a system that undergoes a thermodynamic process at a constant volume condition, the heat absorbed is used only to increase the system's internal …

The number of independent ways a gas molecule can move along straight line, rotate, and vibrate is called its degrees of freedom. Supposing d represents …

When an ideal gas is compressed adiabatically, that is, without adding heat, work is done on it, and its temperature increases. In an adiabatic expansion, …

Free expansion of a gas is an adiabatic process. However, there are few differences between free expansion and adiabatic expansion. During free expansion, …

Consider the adiabatic compression of an ideal gas in the cylinder of an automobile diesel engine. The gasoline vapor is injected into the cylinder of an …

Thermodynamic potentials are state functions that are extremely useful in analyzing a thermodynamic system. They have dimensions of energy. The four …

Maxwell's thermodynamic relations are very useful in solving problems in thermodynamics. Each of Maxwell's relations relates a partial …

The Joule-Thomson effect, also known as the Joule-Kelvin effect, describes the temperature change of a fluid when it is forced through a valve or porous …