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Thermodynamics > Definitions > Flashcards

Definitions Flashcards

1
Q

Engine

A

A machine designed to convert one or more forms of energy into mechanical energy

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2
Q

Heat engine

A

A physical or theoretical device that converts thermal energy to mechanical output

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3
Q

Carnot heat engine

A

A hypothetical engine that operates on the reversible Carnot Cycle

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4
Q

The system

A

The part whose properties we are studying

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5
Q

Surroundings

A

Involve everything else outside or around the system

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6
Q

Boundary

A

What the system exchanges matter or energy across to interact with its surroudings

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7
Q

Isolated System

A

Neither matter nor energy can be exchanged

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8
Q

Closed system

A

Only energy can be exchanged

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9
Q

Open system

A

Both energy and matter can be exchanged

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10
Q

Diathermal

A

When a system may be influenced thermally

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11
Q

Conditions for thermodynamic equilibrium

A

-Mechanical equilibrium (constant pressure)
-Chemical equilibrium (constant particle concentration)
-Thermal equilibrium (constant temperature)

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12
Q

Extensive vs intensive

A

A state variable that depends on the physical size of the system vs one that is independent of the system’s size

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13
Q

Conditions for reversibility

A

-process can be reversed by an infinitesimal change in conditions
-quasistatic
-no hysteresis

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14
Q

Quasisatic

A

Carried out so slowly that every state the system passes through may be considered an equilibrium state

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15
Q

Hysteresis

A

When a process is reversed it does not retrace its previous path but follows a different one

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16
Q

Irreversible

A

When energy is permanently lost from the system due to dissipative forces such as friction

17
Q

Common reversible processes

A

Isothermal, isochoric, isobaric, adiabatic

18
Q

Isothermal

A

The temperature of the system remains constant

19
Q

Isochoric

A

The volume of the system remains constant

20
Q

Isobaric

A

The pressure of the system remains constant

21
Q

Adiabatic (adiathermal)

A

No heat is exchanged between the system and its surroundings

22
Q

Thermal equilibrium

A

When there is no net heat flow between bodies after they have been in thermal contact with each other through a diathermal wall. They will have restricted value of their pressure/volume coordinate systems.

23
Q

The zeroth law

A

If two systems are separately in thermal equilibrium with a third, then they must also be in thermal equilibrium with each other

24
Q

Work is positive when

A

Work is done on the system of interest

25
Q

Work is negative when

A

The system does work on the surroundings

26
Q

Work

A

Energy transferred between a system and its surroundings when a force is applied over a distance or when the system undergoes a change in its external variables

27
Q

Heat

A

An energy transfer that happens between a system and its surroundings due to temperature difference

28
Q

First law

A

Energy is conserved and heat and work are both forms of energy. dU = dQ + dW

29
Q

A small change of entropy of a system, dS , is defined as

A

The small change in heat flow per unit temperature into the system, provided the heat flow corresponds to a reversible process

30
Q

Carnot cycle four steps

A

Isothermal expansion, adiabatic expansion, isothermal compression, adiabatic compression

31
Q

Kelvin statement

A

No process is possible whose sole result is the complete conversion of heat into work

32
Q

Clausius statement

A

No process is possible whose sole result is the transfer of heat from a colder to a hotter body

33
Q

Second law

A

No process is possible where the total entropy of the universe decreases. The total change in entropy is always greater than or equal to zero

34
Q

Carnots theorem

A

No engine operating between two given reservoirs can be more efficient than a carnot engine operating between the same two reservoirs

35
Q

Isentropic process

A

A process that is both adiabatic and reversible

36
Q

The second law- another version

A

The entropy of an isolated system tends to a maximum. As the universe of a whole is an isolated system, internal energy of universe is constant and entropy of universe can only increase, we are heading towards the heat death of the universe

Thermodynamics (3 decks)

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