This chapter is concerned with two subjects, namely thermodynamics and kinetics.
Thermodynamics is an impressive branch of physical science which deals with the relationships
between all forms of energy such as heat, chemical energy, mechanical or electrical work, and the macroscopic properties of material systems. Because thermodynamics deals with the general laws governing the transformations of macroscopic systems, without taking into account the icroscopic mechanisms (at the atomic or molecular levels), the results are widely applicable and are independent of the microscopic explanations. Thermodynamics is relevant to physics, chemistry, and biology as well as to geology, the applied sciences and engineering including, of course, chemical metallurgy. There is barely any need to make elaboration on thermodynamics as applied to chemical metallurgy. It remains, in fact, amply illustrated and in-built in some of the chapters that follow.
The present text on thermodynamics is quite concise, and it is hoped that it will prepare readers well both for using thermodynamic methods and for delving more deeply into the subject with the supporting aid of a good deal of standard reference texts (some of which) are listed at the end of the chapter). The text presented here introduces some of the common concepts and definitions in vogue in thermodynamics, and a familiarity with them is considered the first useful step in the study of thermodynamics.
In thermodynamics, the term “system” means a portion of the physical universe, large or small, enclosed by a real or an imaginary boundary and thus separated from the rest of the universe, which constitutes the “surroundings”. The system can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. There are three types of systems: (a) closed systems (or nonflow systems);
(b) open systems (or flow systems), and (c) isolated systems. A closed system is a system of fixed mass. No mass transfer occurs across the system boundary. However, there can be energy transfer into or out of the system. A certain quantity of fluid in a cylindrical container, bound by a piston, constitutes a closed system. An open system is one in which matter (or mass) can cross the boundary of the system. In addition, there can also be energy transfer. In an isolated system is there is no interaction between the system and the surroundings.
It is of fixed mass and energy, and there is no mass or energy transfer across the system boundary. Two types of open systems exist: (1) steady-state, and (2) unsteady state.
Introduction (Thermodynamics)
This chapter is concerned with two subjects, namely thermodynamics and kinetics.
Thermodynamics is an impressive branch of physical science which deals with the relationships
between all forms of energy such as heat, chemical energy, mechanical or electrical work, and the macroscopic properties of material systems. Because thermodynamics deals with the general laws governing the transformations of macroscopic systems, without taking into account the icroscopic mechanisms (at the atomic or molecular levels), the results are widely applicable and are independent of the microscopic explanations. Thermodynamics is relevant to physics, chemistry, and biology as well as to geology, the applied sciences and engineering including, of course, chemical metallurgy. There is barely any need to make elaboration on thermodynamics as applied to chemical metallurgy. It remains, in fact, amply illustrated and in-built in some of the chapters that follow.
The present text on thermodynamics is quite concise, and it is hoped that it will prepare readers well both for using thermodynamic methods and for delving more deeply into the subject with the supporting aid of a good deal of standard reference texts (some of which) are listed at the end of the chapter). The text presented here introduces some of the common concepts and definitions in vogue in thermodynamics, and a familiarity with them is considered the first useful step in the study of thermodynamics.
In thermodynamics, the term “system” means a portion of the physical universe, large or small, enclosed by a real or an imaginary boundary and thus separated from the rest of the universe, which constitutes the “surroundings”. The system can be either homogeneous or heterogeneous. There are three types of systems: (a) closed systems (or nonflow systems);
(b) open systems (or flow systems), and (c) isolated systems. A closed system is a system of fixed mass. No mass transfer occurs across the system boundary. However, there can be energy transfer into or out of the system. A certain quantity of fluid in a cylindrical container, bound by a piston, constitutes a closed system. An open system is one in which matter (or mass) can cross the boundary of the system. In addition, there can also be energy transfer. In an isolated system is there is no interaction between the system and the surroundings.
It is of fixed mass and energy, and there is no mass or energy transfer across the system boundary. Two types of open systems exist: (1) steady-state, and (2) unsteady state.