Lecture Note

Definition
Thermodynamics is derived from two words:

Thermo which means Heat energy and

Dynamics which means conversion or
transformation
Concisely, thermodynamics is a division of science

that deals with conversion of energy from one form

to another
The main forms of energy of interest in

engineering thermodynamics are heat and work

Definition contd.
Work is the form of energy useful in

displacement of a body
Work Force Distance (Joules)
Heat is the form of energy transferred due to

temperature gradient between two bodies

Heat Mass Specific Temperatur e difference (Joules)

Applications of Engineering
Thermodynamics
Engineering application of thermodynamic

principles is the design of various systems

using fluid properties to cause energy
transformation
Applications in design of heat engines,

refrigeration machines, air conditioning

systems

Scope of Thermodynamics
It is limited to macroscopic properties of

matter i.e. properties of large number of

particles of systems
It considers the initial and final states of a

system and not the mechanism of the process

Important fluid properties in

thermodynamics
Density
Specific heat capacity
Temperature
Internal energy
Entropy
Enthalpy
Pressure
Specific volume
Mass

Fundamental concepts
System
Boundary
Surrounding
Open, Closed and Isolated
Homogenous and heterogeneous
Energy
Kinetic

energy
Potential energy
Internal energy

Heat Engines
Heat engines are devices designed for the

purpose of converting other forms of energy

(usually in the form of heat) to work. Heat
engines differ considerably from one another, but
all can be characterized by the following:
1. They receive heat from a high-temperature
source (solar energy, oil furnace, nuclear reactor,
etc.).
2. They convert part of this heat to work (usually
in the form of a rotating shaft).
3. They reject the remaining waste heat to a lowtemperature sink (the atmosphere, rivers, etc.).
4. They operate on a cycle.