Thermodynamics
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"Thermodynamics" comes from the greek words "therme" which means heat and "dynamikos" which means force,power. So "Thermodynamics" is essentially the study of forces due to heat or heat due to forces. It deals with the conversion of energies in terms of heat and mechanical work and their relationship with properties of the system. The field of engineering science, which deals with the applications of thermodynamics and its laws to work producing and work absorbing devices, in order to understand their functions and improve their performance, is known as Thermal Engineering.
An understanding of the common terminology would be very useful before going further.
Terminology:
System: The region of interest for the purpose study.
Boundary: An imaginary line that encompasses the region of interest.
Heat: Energy transfer due to temperature difference.
Work: Energy transfer due to movement.
Temperature: Temperature is a property which measures the degree of hotness or coldness of body. This is due to molecular vibration.
[edit] Principal laws of Thermodynamics
- Zeroeth law of thermodynamics states that if two objects are each in thermal equilibrium with a third, then they are also in thermal equilibrium with each other.
- The first law of thermodynamics states that energy can be neither created nor destoyed.
- The second law of thermodynamics states that dq=tds.
- The third law of thermodynamics states that at absolute zero (the lowest possible temperature), there is no moleclular movement.
Further reading :
[edit] Introduction to Thermodynamics
Now let's see the chapters we will cover in what can be called an "Introduction to Thermodynamics" as a University course. Here we are:
- Thermal Properties Of Matter
- Temperature And Heat
- The First Law Of Thermodynamics
- The Second Law of Thermodynamics
