Thermodynamics - Fundamental Concepts & Definition

Thermodynamics: definition and scope

"Thermodynamics" is a term that is derived from Greek words theme and dynamics. Word theme
means heat and dynamics means strength. Thus literally thermodynamics means heat strength or
heat power. In other words, it means the process of converting heat into mechanical power.
However, modern thermodynamics deals with more than just thermal energy.

Thermodynamics is defined as the science and technology that deals with the laws that govern the
transformation of energy from one form to another form.

There are four laws of thermodynamics: the zeroth, first, second and third. These laws form the
basis for all types of thermodynamic analysis

Scope
Thermodynamics is used in a wide range of science and engineering areas, including
physical chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering, as well
as more sophisticated subjects like meteorology.

The study of chemical compounds and chemical reactions was significantly expanded after
the initial application of thermodynamics to mechanical heat engines. Chemical
thermodynamics investigates the function of entropy in chemical reactions and has
contributed significantly to the field's growth and knowledge.

Classical thermodynamics uses macroscopic, quantifiable features to describe the states of

thermodynamic systems in near-equilibrium. It is used to simulate energy, work, and heat
exchanges using thermodynamic rules.

Thermodynamics is a discipline of science that studies the various types of energy, their
quantitative correlations, and the energy changes that occur throughout physical and
chemical processes.

Microscopic and Macroscopic approaches

Microscopic point of view considers that matter is composed of molecules. Each of these molecules
have definite velocity and energy at a given instant. The velocity and energy change very frequently
due to collisions of molecules.

Thus microscopic viewpoint might focus on molecules, atoms or even an electron and nucleus
individually. Hence a complete description would require an enormous effort with suitable
approximations.

The microscopic analysis or microscopic thermodynamics is also known as statistical

thermodynamics because here, individual molecule is studied and the analysis is applied to collective
molecular action by statistical methods.

Macroscopic point of view considers the effect of the action of many molecules instead of single
molecules. For example, we measure distance in meters, time in seconds etc. These measurements

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are very large compared with the events on a microscopic or molecular level and hence the term
macroscopic.

Classical thermodynamics is of macroscopic nature. The fundamental laws, or statements, deal only
macroscopic properties of matter.

Comparison Chart

Macroscopic Approach Microscopic Approach

In this approach, a certain The matter is considered to be

quantity of matter is considered comprised of a large number of tiny
without taking into account the particles known as molecules, which
events occurring at the move randomly in a disordered fashion.
molecular level. The effect of molecular motion is
considered.

An analysis is concerned with Knowledge of the structure of matter is

the overall behavior of the essential in analyzing the behavior of the
system. system.

This approach is used in the This approach is used in the study of

study of classical statistical thermodynamics.
thermodynamics.

A few properties are required to Large numbers of variables are required

describe the system. to describe the system.

The properties like pressure, The properties like velocity, momentum,

temperature, etc. needed to kinetic energy, etc. needed to describe
describe the system, can be the system, cannot be measured easily.
easily measured.

The properties of the system are The properties are defined for each
their average values. molecule individually.

This approach requires simple No. of molecules is very large so it

mathematical formulas for requires an advanced statistical and
analyzing the system. mathematical method to explain any
change in the system
Engineering thermodynamics: definition, some practical applications of
engineering thermodynamic.

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THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEMS
A thermodynamic analysis involves the laws of thermodynamics applied to a thermodynamic
system.

A thermodynamic system is a prescribed region of space or a finite quantity of matter. It is often

referred to as just a system.

Basically there are three different types of systems.

Closed System

It is defined as the system of fixed content or matter (mass), in which only energy transfer takes
place. Thus in a closed system, mass doesn't cross the system boundary even though energy may
cross the system boundary

Consider figure 1.2 (a) in which the system consists of a gas confined between the piston and the
cylinder. Even though heat and work may cross the boundary, and volume of the system may change
due to the movement of the piston inside the cylinder, the system is said to be a closed system. This
is because there is no flow of mass across the system boundary.

Open System

If matter flows into or out of a system, then the system is known as open system. Thus in an open
system, both mass and energy may cross the system boundary. Consider figure 1.2 (b) in which a gas

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is compressed and expanded during the movement of a piston inside the cylinder. Here, in addition
to heat and work, matter or mass may also cross the system boundary. Such a system is known as an
open system

Isolated System

In an isolated system neither mass nor energy crosses the system boundary.

Consider a pan of water in a mass and energy impervious insulated box, thus forming an isolated
system as shown in figure 1.3. Since the box is insulated there is absolutely no transfer of energy as
well as matter or mass. Such a system is known as an isolated system.

Characteristics of system boundary

System boundary is an envelope or surface which surrounds the system. It is often referred to as just
a boundary. The boundary may be a real physical surface, such as walls of a vessel, or it may be an
imaginary surface enclosing some matter.

The system and the boundary are always chosen by an analyst and they are usually not specified in a
problem statement. It may be noted that when different systems are used to analyze the same
quantity, they should produce the same basic results in each case. A system and hence a boundary
need not be fixed in space. They may move, deform, and increase or decrease in size with time.

Environment and Universe

The region outside the system boundary and contiguous to it is known as environment or the
surroundings. The combined system and the environment are referred to as universe.

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CONTROL VOLUME AND CONTROL SURFACE
A control volume is defined as a volume in space through which matter, momentum and energy may
flow. It is bounded by a surface called control surface. A control volume can be fixed in size and
shape, as in the case of a nozzle, or it may have a moving boundary, as shown in fig.

The control volume may be stationary or may be moving at a constant velocity.

If the control volume changes both in size and ill position, the control volume is equivalent to all
open system. If no mass transfer occurs across the control surface, the control volume becomes
identical with the closed system. The concept of control volume is useful in analysing the fluid flow.
In the figure 1.4 the solid line represents the control surface and the dotted line represents system
boundary

The boundaries of control volume is called control surface and the control surface can be real or
imaginary. In a nozzle the inner surface of the nozzle forms the real part of the boundary and the
entrance and exit area from the imaginary part since there are no physical surface which exist there
as shown in fig

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Thermodynamic properties and state
The state of a system at any instant is its condition of existence at that instant. Consider a given
mass of water. Initially it is in liquid form and if we heat it, it may become a vapour or if we cool it, it
may become a solid. It can be noted that in each phase water may exist at different pressures and
temperatures or in thermodynamic term, water may exist in Different states. Thus the state may be
identified or described by certain observable, macroscopic properties like pressure p, temperature T,
specific volume v, internal energy u, enthalpy h etc.

A property can be defined as any quantity that depends on the state of the system and is
independent of the path by which the system has reached the given state.

The change in value of a property is thus fixed only by the end state of the system.

[n classical thermodynamics there are two different types of properties, intensive and extensive

Intensive property is defined as any thermodynamic property ofa system that is independent of the
system mass. Examples are pressure, temperature, density and velocity.

Intensive mass based properties are symbolized by lower case letters, and intensive mole-based
properties are symbolized by lower case letters with over bars. Thus v, ke, pe etc., are the symbols
for mass based specific volume, kinetic energy, potential energy etc. v, k, e,etc. are the symbols for
mole-based specific volume, kinetic energy and potential energy etc.

Extensive property is defined as any thermodynamic property of a system that depends on mass of
the system. Examples are mass, volume and total energy.

Extensive properties are symbolized by upper case letters. Thus V, E, KE etc., are the symbols used
for volume, total energy, kinetic energy etc. Some exceptions are temperature T (intensive
property), mass m and number of moles n (extensive property).

Most extensive properties can be converted into intensive properties by dividing the extensive
property by the system mass or the number of moles in the system. Intensive properties thus
created are called specific properties. e.g.; specific volume, molar specific volume etc.,

THERMODYNAMIC PROCESSES AND CYCLES

Thermodynamic process is defined as the path of the thermodynamic stales that a system passes
through as it goes from all initial state to a final state. Thus, process is a transition in which a system
changes from an initial state to a final state. If the process goes on so slowly that the state of
equilibrium exists at every moment, then such a process is referred to as an equilibrium process,
otherwise it is referred to as a non-equilibrium process. A process can change a system from one
non equilibrium state to another by following a path of non-equilibrium states. Figure 1.5 shows
three different processes following different paths.

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Quasi static process

During a thermodynamic process to promote the change of state, it is necessary that some
unbalanced potential must exist either within the system or between the system and the
surroundings. When this unbalanced potential is very small, the system can be considered as
infinitesimally close to the state of equilibrium at all times. This process is known as quasi-static
process.

A quasistatic process is the one ill which the deviation from the thermodynamic equilibrium is
infinitesimal. All the states the system passes through during a quasistatic process can be considered
as equilibrium states. Consider a pressure PI of a gas on one face of a frictionless piston and a
pressure p] on the opposite face. If the two pressures are equal, then the system is in equilibrium. If
PI is infinitesimally larger than P2 ' the gas on side PI will undergo a small expansion as the piston
moves; at the same time, the gases on both sides of the piston are essentially in equilibrium.

In the figure L6(b) AB represents a quasi-static process and at the successive states I, 2, 3 etc., the
system is approximated to thermodynamic equilibrium. A thermodynamic cycle is the one ill which a
system ill a given state goes through a number of different processes and finally returns to its initial
state. Thus for a thermodynamic cycle the initial and final states remain identical. Steam which
circulates through a steam power plant constitutes a steam cycle.

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A reversible process is defined as the process that occurs in a reverse direction such that the initial
state and all energies transferred or transformed during the process can be completely restored in
both system and environment. Thus a reversible process doesn't leave any net change in the system
or in the surroundings.

e.g. : Reversible adiabatic process.

An irreversible process is defined as the process that is not reversible. Thus, during an irreversible
process the system and the surroundings are restored to their respective initial states with a net
change in the system and in the environment. All the processes which involve dissipative effects are
irreversible.

e.g. : Flow through pipes involving friction.

Thermodynamic equilibrium
A system is said to be in thermodynamic equilibrium if it does not have the capacity to
spontaneously change its state after it has been isolated.

Thus, when the system is in equilibrium state a change of state cannot occur while the system is not
subjected to interactions with the surroundings

1. Mechanical Equilibrium

When there is no unbalanced force within the system and nor at its boundaries then the system is
said to be in mechanical equilibrium. Mechanical equilibrium implies equality of pre sure, which
means for the entire system pressure is uniform. A pressure gradient within the system induces
internal changes due to diffusion and hence results in unbalanced forces.

e.g., Still water stored in a tank (ignoring the change in pressure but considering elevation) due to
gravitational force.

2. Chemical Equilibrium

When there is no chemical reaction or a process such as diffusion, the system is said to be in
chemical equilibrium.

It can be noted that a system in mechanical equilibrium can undergo a change in its internal
structure due to chemical reaction or diffusion of matter. Thus in chemical equilibrium there will be
no mass diffusion in the system and also there will be no chemical reactions.

3. Thermal Equilibrium

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When there is no temperature gradient within the system, the system is said to be in thermal
equilibrium.

Consider a system which is in mechanical and chemical equilibrium. The system be separated by a
diathermic wall which allows heat flow through it from the surroundings. If the temperature of the
surroundings is higher, then heat flows from the surroundings towards the system. This results in
increased temperature of the system. After sufficiently long period, both the system and the
surroundings attain the same temperature and heat interaction between them ceases.

4. Electrical equilibrium

When there is no electrical potential gradient within a system, the system is said to be in electrical
equilibrium.

5. Thermodynamic Equilibrium

When all the conditions of mechanical, chemical, thermal, electrical equilibrium are satisfied, the
system is said to be in thermodynamic equilibrium. It is also known as an equivalent stare.

Statement of Zeroth law of thermodynamics. (No Numericals).

Consider a cold cup of milk and a hot cup of tea placed on a table in a room. The milk and tea in the
cups will approach the room temperature when we wait long enough. The milk and tea are said to
be in thermodynamic equilibrium with the room because we can sense that all of them are at the
same temperature.

Now consider three thermodynamic systems A, B and C. If the system A is in thermal equilibrium
with system C (i.e., A and C are at the same temperature) and system B is in thermal equilibrium
with system C, then system A is in thermal equilibrium with system B. The above concept was
introduced by R.H Fowler and E.A Guggenheim, which is known as Zeroth law of thermodynamics.

It states that, two bodies which are each ill thermal equilibrium with a third body, are ill thermal
equilibrium with each other.

The zeroth law is the basis of the concept of temperature and is useful in comparing the
temperature of two bodies A and B with the help of a third body C. This is done without actually
bringing A and B in contact with each other. The test body C is known as a thermometer which
defines equality of Temperature

Work and Heat:

Thermodynamic definition of work; examples, sign convention.
As defined in thermodynamics, work is the energy transfer across the system boundary in an
organized manner such that its sole use could be reduced to lift a weight (mass) against gravitational
effect

Consider for example, electrical energy from a storage battery crossing the system boundary as
shown in the figure 2.1. When the switch is closed, current flows through the resistance coil which
gets heated and thus heats the surrounding. Due to this action the charge on the battery (system)
decreases. Even though there is interaction between the system and the surroundings, according to
mechanics this can not be considered as work. This is because no force is acting through a distance.

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Now imagine that the same electrical energy from the storage battery drives a motor which is
coupled to a frictionless pulley, which in turn, raises a weight. Assuming that the net number of
electrons carried by the electric wiring is zero, there is no net flow of mass across the system. Thus
electrical energy is work.

SIGN CONVENTION FOR WORK

Work is considered as positive when work is done by the system and is considered as negative when
work is done on the system. Thus, W denotes work done by the system and - W denotes work done
on the system.

When the surroundings do + ve work, the system does an equivalent of - ve work, and vice versa.
Thus for any process

W system + W surroundings = 0

Displacement work:
Consider a system which contains a cylinder, filled with a gas and a piston moving in the frictionless
cylinder as shown in the figure 2.5. Let the piston move outward through a small distance dx (dx ->
0) in time interval dt. Since the piston moves only a small distance, the pressure acting on the face of
the piston can be assumed constant.

The infinitesimal work done by the system

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 δW = Force x Distance moved

= (Pressure x Area of the piston) x Distance moved,

=p x A x dx

But,

A x dx = Infinitesimal volume dV

Therefore, δW p x dV --- (1)

If the piston moves through a finite distance, the work done by the piston is obtained by integrating
the 'above equation between the initial and final state. Thus

--(2)

If the process proceeds from state 2 to state 1 we can write

The above equations are applicable only for the following conditions.

• The process is reversible or frictionless or quasi static.

• The system is a closed system.

• The effect due to viscous force, magnetic, gravitational and electric current are negligible.

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Other types of work
1.Stretching of a wire

Consider a wire of cross section A subjected to an external force of tension F. The length of the wire
L changes to (L + dL) due to this action. Hence the infinitesimal work done is given by,

--- (I)

The negative sign indicates that work must be done on the wire (system) to effect a change in its
length

2. Surface film

Consider a system consisting of a liquid film having a surface tension o as shown in the figure 2.6

The film is maintained using a wire frame, one side of which is movable. When the sliding wire is
moved left or right along the frame, work is done on or by the film.

During this movement area changes by an amount dA.

Work done by the wire frame (system) is given by,

For' finite changes,

3.Shaft work

Consider an engine shaft rotated by means of an external force. The shaft undergoes an angular
displacement when a constant torque T is applied to it.

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Shaft work is given by

For finite changes, shaft work

4. Flow work

Consider the work done by an imaginary piston acting on a fluid element in a process involving fluid
flow as shown in figure 2.8.

The work done on this imaginary piston by the external pressure is given by

Since the above process involves simultaneous flow of fluid into and out of the system, we have for a
fluid element entering the system,

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5. Stirring work

Consider system a which encloses only the fluid but excludes the wheel and the shaft as shown in
figure 2.9. In this case both normal and.shear forces act on the wheel surface, But it is not possible
to know distribution of force over the wheel surface and its variation with time exactly. Now
consider the system boundary b which includes only shaft work in the boundary. In this case stirring
work is given by,

If m is the mass of the weight lowered through a distance dz, then

For finite variation we have

6. Electrical work

Consider a system consisting of a resistance coil through which electric current I is flowing

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7. Magnetic Work

Consider a system which involves magnetic work. The work done in the magnetization of a
paramagnetic substance is given by,

Heat; definition, units and sign convention

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When two systems at different temperatures are placed in thermal contact with each other and
isolated from all other systems, a change in temperature or other thermodynamic properties in both
systems occur due to energy transfer.

The energy being transferred from one system to another system solely by reason of a
temperature difference between the two systems is called heat.

The symbol Q is used to represent heat transfer to a system and q is used to represent heat transfer
per unit mass of the system. As a convention of sign, heat transferred to a system is considered
positive and heat transferred from a system is considered negative. In other words, Q is positive
when surroundings have the higher temperature, and negative when the system is at higher
temperature

Heat may not cause a temperature rise. For example, when heat is supplied to an ice-water mixture,
the temperature of the mixture doesn't rise until all ice is melted. On the other hand, when there is
an increase in temperature in a system it may not be solely due to heat transfer, it may be due to
work transfer also.

A process in which heat doesn't cross the boundary of the system is called an adiabatic process. Thus
in an adiabatic process there is only work interaction between the system and the surroundings.

A wall which is impermeable to heat flow is an adiabatic wall, whereas a wall which is permeable to
heat flow is a diathermic wall.

Comparison of Work and Heat

Similarities

 Both work and heat are path functions. They are not the properties of the system and hence
their differentials are inexact.
 Both work and heat exist during interactions only. They don't exist either before or after
interactions. Heat may be present during a temperature rise or heat may not cause
temperature rise.
 Both work and heat transfer occur across the system boundary and are always referred with
reference to the system boundary.
 Heat, like work can never be a conserved fluid. Both heat and work of a system can be
referred as transient energy. Hence it is improper to use the terms like 'heat contained',
'heat in' etc.,

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 Dissimilarities

 Work is a measure of organized and directed flow of energy whereas, heat transfer is a non-
organized flow of energy of molecular and atomic interaction. However. These two forms of
energy transfer are not equivalent.
 In case of work, the sole effect external to the system could be reduced to the raising of
mass against gravity. In case of heat transfer other effects are also observed.
 Heat is the energy interaction due to difference in temperature whereas work is due to
reasons other than temperature difference.
 Work is a high grade energy whereas heat is a low grade energy.

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