TOPIC 1

Fundamental Concepts of Thermodynamics

Dimensions and SI units Fundamental units Derived quantities Dimensional homogeneity (slide 1, slide 2) Fundamental concepts of thermodynamics Properties, state, process and cycle Energy conversions Zeroths law of thermodynamics

Dimensions and SI units

Before going further into this course, it is necessary know the definitions and units, which are essential for a proper understanding of the course. When engineering calculations are performed, it is necessary to be concerned with the units of the physical quantities involved.

A unit is any specified amount of a quantity by comparison with which any other quantity of the same kind is measured. In the present discussion, we consider

Fundamental Units
Fundamental physical quantities are absolutely independent of one another. They are also called the Indefinables of mechanics.
Quantity Mass Units kilogram Symbol kg

Time
Length Thermodynamic temperature Electric current Luminous intensity

second
meter degree Kelvin ampere candela

s
m K A cd

Derived Quantities
All other physical quantities, which can be expressed in terms of one or more of fundamental units, are known as derived quantities. Physical quantities like area, volume, density, velocity, acceleration, force, energy, power, torque etc. are called derived quantities since they depend on one or more of these fundamental quantities.
Quantity Area Volume Velocity Density Force Pressure Units meter square meter cube meter per second kilogram / meter cube Newton Newton/meter square Symbol m2 m3 m/s m/s2 kg/m3 N N/m2 1 N = 1 kgm/s2 1 N/m2 = 1 Pascal 1 bar = 105 N/m2 = 102 kN/m2 Notes 1 m3 = 1 x 103 litre

Acceleration meter per second squared

Dimensional Homogeneity
Dimensional homogeneity is the quality of an equation having quantities of same units on both sides, whereby all terms in an equation must be dimensionally homogeneous. Or simply put, we cant add apples to oranges Neither can we add J/mol to J/kg s.
Example:

Common units conversion in Thermodynamics

1 kg = 1000 g 1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm 1 km = 1000 m = (100 000 cm @ 105 cm) = (1 000 000 mm @ 106 mm) 1 hour = 60 minutes = 3600 seconds 1 m3 = 1000 litre, or 1 litre = 1 x 10-3 m3 1 bar = 1 x 105 N/m2
2 2

Multiplying Factors
Multiple and sub-multiple of the basic units are formed by means of prefixes, and the ones most commonly used are shown in the following table:

Fundamental Concepts of Thermodynamics

System : a quantity of matter or region in a space chosen for study Surroundings : mass or region outside of the system Boundary : surface of separation between the system and its surroundings

Properties, State, Process and Cycle

Properties are macroscopic characteristics of a system such as mass, volume, energy, pressure, and temperature to which numerical values can be assigned at a given time without knowledge of the history of the system. Properties are considered to be either intensive or extensive. Intensive properties are those which are independent of the size of the system such as temperature, pressure and density. Extensive properties are those whose values depend on the size or extent of the system. For example; mass, volume and total energy. State refers to the condition of system as described by its properties.

Energy Conversion
We use energy in every aspect of our lives. One of the reasons energy is hard to conceptualize is that it is constantly changing from one form to another. When this happens it is called an energy conversion.
During these conversions, energy is changing between potential and kinetic forms of energy. Potential energy is the energy in matter because of its position or the arrangement of its parts. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. Heat is transferred to the surrounding during all energy conversions. With each energy conversion, transferred heat leads to a slight increase in the thermal energy in the surrounding. In other words, this thermal energy is "lost" in to surrounding and not useable.

Zeroths Law of Thermodynamics

Zeroths Law refers to thermodynamic equilibrium. When two systems are put in contact with each other, energy and/or matter will be exchanged between them unless they are in thermodynamic equilibrium.
For example (refer picture) If A and B are in thermodynamic equilibrium, and B and C are in thermodynamic equilibrium, then A and C are also in thermodynamic equilibrium.