Thermodynamics for

BMEng

CHAPTER 2
Basic concepts and definitions
Prepared by: Mehiret W. (MSc.)
October2022
 Recap Question
• What is Thermodynamics?
• How is it beneficial to your career?
• What is the difference between classical and statistical
thermodynamics?
• Discuss the operation of power plant?
• Discuss the difference between a refrigerator and heat
pump?

2
 Outlines

Closed, open and Isolated systems

Properties, phase, state, equilibrium, and process

Dimensions and units

Forms of energy

Zeroth law of thermodynamics 3

 2.1 Closed, Open and Isolated Systems
• System: A quantity of matter or a region in space chosen for study.
• Surroundings: The mass or region outside the system
• Boundary or surface: The real or imaginary surface that separates
the system from its surroundings.
• The boundary of a system can be fixed or movable.

 Systems may be considered to be closed, open Or Isolated

• Closed system
(Control mass):
A fixed
amount of mass,
and no mass
can cross its 4
boundary.
 Cont’d
• Open system (control volume): A properly
selected region in space.
• It usually encloses a device that involves
mass flow such as a compressor, turbine, or
nozzle.
• Both mass and energy can cross the
boundary of a control volume.

5
An open system (a
control volume) with one • Isolated system: A system closed to
inlet and one exit. mass, heat and work flows. It is not affected
2.2 Properties, phase, state, Equilibrium, and process

• Any measurable quantity that describes the

condition of a system is called a property. E.g T,
P, m, V, density

• Properties are of two types;

• Intensive properties are independent of the

mass of the system. Examples: temperature,
pressure, and density.

• Extensive properties are those whose value

depends on the size of the system. Examples:
Total mass, total volume, and total
momentum.
6
Extensive properties per unit mass are called
specific properties. Examples include specific
volume v = V/m and specific total energy e=E/m.
2.2 Properties, phase, state, Equilibrium, and process

each 
consider a quantity of substance part  same intensive property

divide into 2 parts will  1/2 extensive property
have 

7
2.2 Properties, phase, state, Equilibrium, and process

• Properties of a system are defined when

the system is in equilibrium.

• Equilibrium: No unbalance exist in the

system, and values of properties (T, P etc.)
remain the same when it is isolated from
the surroundings.

• Thermal equilibrium: temperature of system does not

change when it is isolated from surrounding

• Mechanical equilibrium: pressure of system does not

change when it is isolated from surrounding 8

• Chemical equilibrium: chemical composition does not

change when it is isolated from surroundings
2.2 Properties, phase, state, Equilibrium, and process

• State : Condition of a system in equilibrium at a

given time t identified by properties (e.g. T, P, v).

• at a given state each property has 1 value.

• Thermodynamic properties: also termed state

parameters or state variables are variables that
quantify the state of a system.

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2.2 Properties, phase, state, Equilibrium, and process

• The state of a simple compressible system can

be uniquely described if two of its independent
intensive variables are known. This is termed as
the state postulate.

• Simple compressible system: a system

whereby energy transfer by work into & out of
the system occurs by volume change only.
( does not involve any work done by electrical,
magnetic, gravitational, motion, and surface
tension effects)

• Properties are independent when

one can vary while the other 10
remains constant.
2.2 Properties, phase, state, Equilibrium, and process

Process : The transformation of a system from one

state to another state through a succession of states.

Quasi-equilibrium process (ideal process):

The system is very near to equilibrium in all
successive states during the process.

Non-equilibrium process: The system is not in 11

equilibrium during the process. States during the
process are undefined. We can only define the initial
2.2 Properties, phase, state, Equilibrium, and process

Process : The transformation of a system from one

state to another state through a succession of states.

Quasi-equilibrium process and Non-equilibrium

process

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2.2 Properties, phase, state, Equilibrium, and process

Whether the process is quasi-equilbrium or non

equilibrium, it could be steady or unsteady.

Steady process: if the conditions do not change with

time at each location during the process. (defined for
control volume)

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2.3 DIMENSIONS AND UNITS

• Any physical quantity can be characterized by

dimensions.

• The magnitudes assigned to the dimensions are

called units.

• Dimensions can be primary or secondary.

Secondary dimensions are derived from primary.

• Metric SI system: A simple and logical system

based on a decimal relationship between the
various units.

• English system: It has no apparent systematic 14

numerical base, and various units in this system
are related to each other rather arbitrarily.
 Cont’d
Some SI and English Units
• English: lb for mass, ft for length and s for seconds
• SI: kg for mass, m for length and s for seconds

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Dimensional homogeneity
• All equations must be dimensionally homogeneous.

Unity Conversion Ratios

• Are ratios with a value of 1 and can multiply terms in an equation to
bring dimensional homogeneity.

Force units, for example, can be expressed as

They can also be expressed more conveniently as unity conversion ratios

as:

Unity conversion ratios are identically equal to 1 and are unitless, and 16
thus such ratios (or their inverses) can be inserted conveniently into any
calculation to properly convert units.
 Cont’d

Example

1. using unity conversion ratio prove that weight of 1lbm is equivalent to

1lbf on earth. (g=32.174ft/s2)

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2.4 Forms of Energy
• Energy contained in a system is also a property
since it tells us the condition of the system.

• Forms of energy can be grouped into microscopic

and macroscopic.

Thermal
 Mechanical

 Kinetic Energy  KE  Units
Total 
( E )  Potential Energy  PE  Joules J 
Energy  magnetic
  or kiloJoules  kJ 
 neglected in
 chemical  18

nuclear  ME 203
 
E
Specific energy  e    kJ / kg 
m
2.4 Forms of Energy

Energy is contained in a system as internal, kinetic

and potential energy
mV 2
Total energy , E  U  KE  PE  U   mgz
2
E V2
Specific total energy , e   u  ke  pe  u   gz
m 2
U
Specific internal energy , u 
m

Thermal
 Mechanical

 Kinetic Energy  KE  Units
Total 
( E )  Potential Energy  PE  Joules J 
Energy  magnetic
  or kiloJoules  kJ 
 neglected in
 chemical 

nuclear  ME 203 19
 
E
Specific energy  e    kJ / kg 
m
2.4 Forms of Energy

Energy is contained in a system (as U + KE + PE) and

can be transferred at the system boundary (as Heat
and/or Work)

Transfers (enters or leaves) Contained/Stored

at the system boundary as In a system as
Heat or Work U + KE + PE

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2.4 Forms of Energy

3 ways in which energy is stored as internal energy

(U) ,microscopic form, in each phase of a substance.

1.Intermolecular potential energy: Because of forces

between molecules.

2.Molecular kinetic energy: Because of translational

motion of molecules

3. Intra molecular energy (within individual molecules) :

Because of the molecular and atomic structure and
related forces
Thermal
 Mechanical

 Kinetic Energy  KE  Units
Total 
( E )  Potential Energy  PE  Joules J 
Energy  magnetic

21
or kiloJoules  kJ 
  neglected in
 chemical 
  ME 203
 nuclear 
E
Specific energy  e    kJ / kg 
m