7.1 Systems and Processes Flashcards
System
the matter that is being observed; the total amount of reactants and products in a chemical reaction
Surroundings/environment
everything outside of the system
isolated systems
exchange neither matter nor energy with the environment
Closed systems
can exchange energy (heat and work) but not matter with the environment
Open systems
can exchange both energy and matter with the environment
a process
a system undergoes a “process” when it changes in one or more of its properties
first law of thermodynamics equation
Isothermal processes
occur at a constant temperature
U is constant; first law becomes Q = W
Adiabatic processes
exchange no heat with the environment
Q = 0; first law becomes ΔU = -W
Isobaric processes
occur at a constant pressure
Do not alter the first law
Isovolumetric (isochoric)
processes occur at a constant volume
W = 0; first law becomes ΔU = Q
Spontaneous process
can occur by itself without having to be driven by energy from an outside source
Will not necessarily happen quickly and may not go to completion
