Thermodynamics

Definitions:
• System: The part of the Universe that we choose to study
• Surroundings: The rest of the Universe
• Boundary: The surface dividing the System from the
Surroundings
Systems can be:
• Open: Mass and Energy can transfer between the System
and the Surroundings
• Closed: Energy can transfer between the System and the
Surroundings, but NOT mass
• Isolated: Neither Mass nor Energy can transfer between
the System and the Surroundings
Describing systems requires:
• A few macroscopic properties: p, T, V, n, m, …
• Knowledge if System is Homogeneous or Heterogeneous
• Knowledge if System is in Equilibrium State
• Knowledge of the number of components Definitions:
• System: The part of the Universe that we choose to study
• Surroundings: The rest of the Universe
• Boundary: The surface dividing the System from the
Surroundings
Systems can be:
• Open: Mass and Energy can transfer between the System
and the Surroundings
• Closed: Energy can transfer between the System and the
Surroundings, but NOT mass
• Isolated: Neither Mass nor Energy can transfer between
the System and the Surroundings
Describing systems requires:
• A few macroscopic properties: p, T, V, n, m, …
• Knowledge if System is Homogeneous or Heterogeneous
• Knowledge if System is in Equilibrium State
• Knowledge of the number of components Definitions:
• System: The part of the Universe that we choose to study
• Surroundings: The rest of the Universe
• Boundary: The surface dividing the System from the
Surroundings
Systems can be:
• Open: Mass and Energy can transfer between the System
and the Surroundings
• Closed: Energy can transfer between the System and the
Surroundings, but NOT mass
• Isolated: Neither Mass nor Energy can transfer between
the System and the Surroundings
Describing systems requires:
• A few macroscopic properties: p, T, V, n, m, …
• Knowledge if System is Homogeneous or Heterogeneous
• Knowledge if System is in Equilibrium State
• Knowledge of the number of components