Thermodynamics โ 1 (203103257)
Introduction
- Thermodynamics is branch of physics that deals with heat, work, and temperature, and their relation to energy,
entropy, and the physical properties of matter and radiation.
Scope of thermodynamics
- The science of thermodynamics was developed in the 19th century as a result of the need to describe basic
operating principles of the newly invented steam engine and to provide a basis for relating the work produced to
the heat supplied. Thus, the name itself denotes power generated from heat. From the study of steam engines,
there emerged two of the primary generalization of science: the first and second law of thermodynamics. All of
classical thermodynamics is implicit in these laws. Their statements are very simple, but their implications are
profound.
- The first law simply says that energy is conserved, meaning that it is neither created nor destroyed. It provides no
definition of energy that is both general and precise. No help comes from its common informal use where the word
has imprecise meanings. However, in scientific and engineering contexts, energy is recognized as appearing in
various forms, useful because each form has mathematical definition as a function of some recognizable and
measurable characteristics of the real world. Thus, kinetic energy is defined as a function of velocity, and
gravitational potential energy as a function of elevation.
- Conservation implies the transformation of one form of energy into another. Windmills have long operated to
transform the kinetic energy of the wind into work that is used to raise water from land lying below sea level. The
overall effect is to convert the kinetic energy of the wind into potential energy of water. Wind energy is now more
widely converted to electrical energy. Similarly, the potential energy of water has long been transformed into work
used to grind grain or saw lumber. Hydroelectric plants are now a significant source of electrical power.
Applications of thermodynamics
- Thermodynamics gives the foundation for heat engines, power plants, chemical reactions, refrigerators, and many
more important concepts that the world we live in today relies on. Beginning to understand thermodynamics
requires knowledge of how the microscopic world operates
- It is used to stimulate energy, work and heat exchanges using thermodynamic rules.
- Thermodynamics is a discipline of science that studies the various types of energy, their quantitative correlations,
and the energy changes that occur throughout physical and chemical processes.
- Thermal power plants, nuclear power plants, hydroelectric power plants, and power plants based on renewable
energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal, tides, and water waves are all studied in thermodynamics.
