ME-201

Laws of Thermodynamics

Law of Thermodynamics
There are four laws of thermodynamics as
follows:

Zeroth law.

1st law of thermodynamics.

2nd law of thermodynamics.

3rd law of thermodynamics.

Zeroth law (R.H. Fowler, 1931)

The Zeroth law of thermodynamics is a
generalized statement about the thermodynamic
equilibrium between bodies in contact. It is the
result of the definition and properties of temp.

Thermal equilibrium occurs when no temp

gradient exists, both objects are at same temp.

Zeroth Law
When two bodies are each in thermal
equilibrium with a third body, they are in thermal
equilibrium with one another.

Adiabatic wall

If object A is in
thermal equilibrium
with object C.
A

And object B is in
thermal equilibrium
with object C.
B

Then object A & B

are also in thermal
equilibrium.

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

If two systems are separately in thermal

equilibrium with a third, then they must also be
in thermal equilibrium with each other and their
temps will be equal.
B
tb
A

ta

tc

If ta = tc and tb= tc, then ta= tb

1st Law of Thermodynamics

(W. Rankine, 1850s)
The first law of thermodynamics is open
called the conservation of energy law.
Assert that energy is a thermodynamic
property.
Energy:
Ability to work is called energy.
Energy is something, which is indestructible by
us. Energy can exist in various forms. Energy
can be transferred from one form to another.
Energy can be transferred from one system to
another.

1st Law of Thermodynamics, cont

Law of conservation of energy: Energy
can neither be created nor be destroyed.
" When a closed system under goes a cyclic
change, the net heat to or from the system is
equal to the net work from or to the system ".

Mathematically, Q W

HEAT

system
internal
energy

WORK

1st Law of Thermodynamics, cont

The change in the energy of a system equals
the heat flow in the system from the
surroundings minus the work done by the
system on the surroundings.
DU = W + Q
Change in
= Work done on
internal energy
the system

Heat flow into

the system

1st Law of Thermodynamics, cont

With the aid of first law it is possible to calculate the
amount of heat and work which cross the boundary of a
system when given changes in properties occur.

Example:
We can calculate work done by a steam expanding
through a given range of pr in a turbine.

Work require to produce a given air pr.

To generate steam in a boiler we can calculate how

much work require for this.

Motivating the 2nd Law of thermodynamics

The 1st law of thermodynamics alone does
not predict the direction of a process, e.g.
Can a hot object naturally cool down to a temp
below its surrounding?
Can a hot mass return to its initial position by
losing its internal energy?

The first law does not distinguish between

reversible and irreversible processes
o The 2nd law can be used in conjunction with
the 1st law to determine the capability.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

(W. Rankine, 1850s)
o Assert that energy has quality and quantity
and
o Actual processes occur in the direction of
decreasing quality of energy
Entropy Find potential work

Second Law of Thermodynamics

The amount of heat can be converted into
work in an engine.
This is an expression of the fact that it is
impossible to convert all the heat supplied to an
engine into work, some heat must always be
rejected representing a waste of energy.

The Many Uses of the 2nd Law

Predict process direction

Establish equilibrium conditions

Determine theoretical best performance

Evaluate factors limiting best performance

Define a temp scale independent of properties

Develop means for property evaluation for

derived properties, such as h and u

3rd Law of Thermodynamics

If any system is at absolute zero then there is no
entropy on the system.