Week 1

Question 1

Define thermodynamics

Answer 1

The science of energy

Question 2

Energy can be viewed as ____________________

Answer 2

The ability to cause changes

Question 3

During an interaction, energy can change from ______________, but the total amount of energy remains constant

Answer 3

One form to another

Question 4

True or False: The change in energy of a body or any other system is only equal to the difference between the energy input and the energy output (E_in - E_out = DE)

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Define the First Law of Thermodynamics

Answer 5

Simply an expression of the conservation of energy principle, and it asserts that energy is a thermodynamic property

Question 6

Define the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Answer 6

Energy has a quality and a quantity; processes occur in the direction of decreasing quality of energy (i.e. hot coffee cup left on the table, cools down, but a cup of cool coffee in the same room never gets hot by itself)

Question 7

Define classical thermodynamics

Answer 7

A macroscopic approach to the study of thermodynamics. Does not require a knowledge of the behavior of individual particles and provides a direct and easy way to solve engineering problems

Question 8

Define statistical thermodynamics

Answer 8

A more elaborate approach to the study of thermodynamics. Based on the average behavior of large groups of individual particles

Question 9

Define work

Answer 9

A form of energy defined as force multiplied by distance given the unit of Nm (or Joule, J)

Question 10

Define power

Answer 10

The time rate of energy given units of J/s (or Watt, W)

Question 11

True or False: Electrical energy is typically expressed in the unit Watt-Hour

Answer 11

False, electrical energy is typically expressed in the units of kilowatt-hour, which is equivalent to about 3600 J

Question 12

True or False: Electrical energy is a unit of power

Answer 12

False, a kW is a unit of power, a kWh is a unit of energy