Thermodynamics Definition
- A combination of two words, (THERM = HEAT & DYNAMICS = MOTION).
- Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that deals with energy change involving all types of chemical and physical changes.
- In thermodynamics, we basically deal with the macroscopic bodies or systems i.e., an assembly of a larger number of molecules so that it has certain values of pressure, volume, temperature.
- Heat and Work are the two modes of energy interaction of one body with another.
Important Thermodynamics Terms
System
- It is the part of the universe that is under observation.
- It must be a macroscopic i.e., consisting of an extremely large number of particles so that it has some values (temp., pressure, etc.).
- This system may be a solid, liquid and gas or a combination of these.
Surrounding
- Rest part of the universe which interacts with the system.
- In general, surrounding is very large so any change in properties taking place can be neglected.
Boundary
- Anything which separates the system from its surrounding.
- It may be imaginary, rigid or non- rigid, conductor of heat (diathermic) or non-conductor (adiabatic), permeable (mass transfer possibility) or non-permeable.
Types of Thermodynamics Systems
- Depending upon the types of the boundary it is of following types-
Open System
A system having the capability to transfer both matter and heat.
Close System
This can transfer energy, heat but not mass.
Isolated System
It can neither transfer heat nor matter. A universe is an isolated system.
Property of a System
- A measurable quantity.
Thermodynamics Properties
Intensive Property
- Values remain the same in the division of a system.
- Examples are- pressure, temperature, density, vapor density, specific heat, surface tension, viscosity, molar mass, melting point, etc.
Extensive Property
- Values change in the division of the system.
- Examples are- volume, mass, internal energy, heat capacity, moles, entropy, enthalpy, etc.
Important Points:
- Extensive property defined per mole or gram changes to an intensive property.
- The ratio of two extensive is intensive.
- Extensive properties are additive but intensive are not.
STATE OF A SYSTEM
- The state of a thermodynamic system is basically described by its macroscopic property, for example, the state of a gas is described by pressure, temperature, volume, etc.
STATE FUNCTION OR VARIABLES
- Quantities like pressure, volume, entropy, etc. which help us to study the behavior of a thermodynamic system.
- Its value depends on the present state and is independent of the past state and path followed to arrive at that state.
Path Function
- When state function moves from point A to B, it follows a path to reach B from A. So, the variables or state functions which not only depend on ‘A’ (initial state) and ‘B’ (final state) but also the path followed.
Process
- The path along which change of state takes place or change of thermodynamic variables with time.
Spontaneity
- When a reaction is carried or a process having the potential to proceed without any external agency’s assistance.
Cyclic Process
- A system after going through a number of different thermodynamic processes returns to its original state is called a cyclic process.
- Change in all state functions must be zero (∆U = 0, etc.)
Thermodynamics Reversible Process
- Reversible processes are carried out at infinitesimally slow.
- If the initial state can be achieved at any state by reversing the process.
- It takes infinite time and infinite steps to show any appreciable changes.
- It is a hypothetical process.
- It exists in all states of equilibrium at each state.
- In the case of an ideal gas, the ideal gas (PV = nRT) equation can be applied throughout the process.
- Friction, viscosity, etc. should not be present for the process to be reversible.
Irreversible Process
- If the initial state of the process can be restored without any changes in the surrounding or system.
- It takes finite time and finite steps to show any appreciable changes.
- It exists in the state of equilibrium at initial and final states.
- The ideal gas equation can be applied in the initial and final state.
Quasi-Static Process
- A process that is extremely slow.
- Quasi means ‘Almost’, so almost a static process when goes from one state to another.
- It should always be in equilibrium and there may be a loss of energy.
NOTE-
- A process may be reversible or irreversible for a system but it is always reversible for the surroundings.
- All reversible process is quasi-static but all quasi-static process is not reversible because energy loss may be possible in quasi-static but not in reversible.
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