FUNDAMENTALS OF THERMODYNAMICS

Fundamentals of Thermodynamics
What is Thermodynamics?
Thermodynamics is the science of energy
Thermodynamics derived from the greek words therme means heat and dynamis
means power.

Thermodynamics is a science dealing with energy and its transformation.

It deals with equilibrium and feasibility of a process.
Deals with relations between heat and work and the properties of a system

Brief History
1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics emerged simultaneously in the 1850s.
The above laws are derived out of the works of William Rankine, Rudolph Clausius
and Lord Kelvin(formerly William Thomson).
The term thermodynamics was first used in a publication by Lord Kelvin in 1849.
The first textbook of thermodynamics was written in 1859 by William Rankine, a
Professor at the University of Glasgow.

Principles of Thermodynamics
It consists of four laws
1. Zeroth law of thermodynamics deals with thermal equilibrium and provides a means of
measuring temperature.
2. The first law of thermodynamics tells about the conservation of energy and introduces
the concept of internal energy.
3. The second law of thermodynamics dictates the limits of converting the internal energy
into work and introduces the concept of entropy. It also tells whether a particular
process is feasible or not.
4. The third law of thermodynamics provides a datum for the measurement of entropy.

 Two approaches to study Thermodynamics

1. Macroscopic Approach
2. Microscopic Approach
Macroscopic Approach
The structure of matter is not considered.
Only a few variables are used to describe the state of matter.
The values of these variables can be measured.
Classical thermodynamics adopts the macroscopic approach.
It is based on continuum theory.

Microscopic Approach
A knowledge of the structure of matter is essential.
A large number of variables are needed to describe the state of matter.
The values of these variables cannot be measured.
Statistical thermodynamics adopts the microscopic approach.
Basic Concepts and Definitions
System
A definite quantity of matter bounded by some surface.
The boundary surface may be real or imaginary.
It may change in shape and size.
Sometimes the system is also referred as control mass or cv.
A system can exchange energy in the form of work and heat.

Types of System :
1.OpenSystem(Control Volume): A properly selected region in space that involves
mass as well as energy flow across its boundary. Ex: Compressor, turbine, nozzle.
2. Closed System (Control Mass) :It consists of a fixed amount of mass in as elected
region in space and no mass can cross its boundary. Energy can flow across the
boundary. Ex: Pressure cooker, refrigerator, cylinder fitted with a movable piston.
3. Isolated System: No mass and energy flow across the boundary of a chosen space.
Ex: Thermos flask, Universe
Surrounding
The combination of matter and space external to the system constitutes the
surrounding.

Property
A property is any characteristic (which can be quantitatively evaluated) that can be used
to describe the state of a system. Ex: P, V, T, etc.

Essential features of a property

It should have a definite unique value when the system is in a particular state.
The value of the property should not depend upon the past history of the system.
Property is a state function and not a path function.
Its differential is exact.

Classification of property
1. Relevant Property: Associated with energy and its transformation.
2. Irrelevant Property: Not associated with energy and its transformation. Ex: Colour, odour,
taste
Thermodynamics deals with relevant properties only.
Extensive Properties : Are those whose values depend on the size or extent of the
system. Ex: Mass, Volume, Total Energy.
Intensive Properties : Are those that are independent of the size of a system. Ex: T, P,

How to determine whether a property is intensive or extensive?

 Specific Property: Extensive property per unit mass.

Energy
Ability to do work.
Modes of Energy
Macroscopic: Organized form of energy. Example: Kinetic Energy (KE), Potential Energy
(PE).
Microscopic : Disorganized form of energy. Example: Internal Energy(U)
Total Energy (E): Sum of all macroscopic and microscopic modes of energy.
E= KE + PE + U
State
It is the condition of a system identified by its properties.
The number of properties required to fix the state of a system is given by the state
postulate .

The State Postulate

The state of a simple compressible system is completely specified by two independent,
intensive properties.

Steady State
If the property of a system at any specified location are independent of time, then the
system is said to be in a steady state.

Equilibrium
It is a concept associated with the absence of any tendency for
spontaneous changes
when the system is isolated.
In a state of equilibrium, the properties of system are uniform and only
one value can be
assigned to each property.

Types of Equilibrium
1.Thermal Equilibrium: Equality in temperature
2. Mechanical Equilibrium: Equality in pressure.
3. Chemical Equilibrium: Equality in chemical potential.
4. Thermodynamic Equilibrium: 1 + 2 + 3
Process
When a system changes from one equilibrium state to another, the path of successive
states through which the system passes is called a process.
Quasi Equilibrium Process
While a system passing from one state to the next, the deviation from equilibrium
is infinitesimal, a quasi equilibrium process occurs.
It is otherwise called quasi static process as the process proceeds very slowly
under the influence of infinitesimal driving forces(P, T, etc.).
The system remains in infinitesimally close to an equilibrium state at all times.

Non equilibrium Process :

If the system goes from one equilibrium state to another through a series of non
equilibrium states, a non equilibrium process occurs.
It is represented by doted line.
Example: Combustion, free expansion of gas (sudden expansion).

Thank You