Thermodynamics Formula
Thermodynamics Formula - Related Videos
02:38
Third Law of Thermodynamics
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2020
A pure, perfectly crystalline solid possessing no kinetic energy (that is, at a temperature of absolute zero, 0 K) may be described by a single microstate, as its purity, perfect crystallinity,and complete lack of motion means there is but one possible location for each identical atom or molecule comprising the crystal (W = 1). According to the Boltzmann equation, the entropy of this system is zero. This limiting condition for a system’s entropy represents the third law of thermodynamics: the...
02:49
Second Law of Thermodynamics
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2020
In the quest to identify a property that may reliably predict the spontaneity of a process, a promising candidate has been identified: entropy. Processes that involve an increase in entropy of the system (ΔS > 0) are very often spontaneous; however, examples to the contrary are plentiful. By expanding consideration of entropy changes to include the surroundings, a significant conclusion regarding the relation between this property and spontaneity may be reached. In thermodynamic models, the...
00:53
Second Law of Thermodynamics
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2019
The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that entropy, or the amount of disorder in a system, increases each time energy is transferred or transformed. Each energy transfer results in a certain amount of energy that is lost—usually in the form of heat—that increases the disorder of the surroundings. This can also be demonstrated in a classic food web. Herbivores harvest chemical energy from plants and release heat and carbon dioxide into the environment. Carnivores harvest the chemical energy...
00:37
First Law of Thermodynamics
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2019
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. This can be demonstrated within a classic food web where light energy from the sun is harnessed as radiant energy by plants, converted into chemical energy, and stored as complex carbohydrates. The vegetation is then consumed by animals and during the digestion process, the sugars release energy as heat. The sugars also produce chemical energy that either gets used up doing work, stored in...
02:52
Chemical Formulas
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2020
A chemical formula presents information about the proportions of atoms constituting a particular chemical compound or molecule, mainly using symbols of elements and numbers. At times other symbols, such as dashes, parentheses, brackets, commas, plus, and minus signs, are also used. A chemical formula can be one of three types – molecular, empirical, and structural. Molecular Formula The molecular formula represents a molecule or a chemical compound using chemical symbols (to indicate the...
FAQs
With the stated sign convention, ΔU = Q − W means that heat entering the system raises its internal energy, while work performed by the system reduces the energy retained. The equation separates two transfer pathways and allows an energy change to be evaluated when the heat and work terms are known.
The ideal-gas relationship complements the first law by linking pressure, volume, temperature, and the amount of gas in one description. This connection lets an analysis relate mechanical state variables to thermal conditions, rather than treating heat, pressure, or volume as unrelated measurements. It is especially useful when those variables change together.
Entropy adds a criterion for interpreting real processes beyond energy accounting. Thermodynamic formulas involving entropy help assess the direction in which a process proceeds, while equilibrium conditions indicate when relevant macroscopic variables no longer drive change. This distinction matters because conserving energy alone does not identify the direction of a real process.
To analyze a thermodynamic situation, first identify the system and the quantities being related, then apply the formula that matches the available information. The first law organizes heat, work, and internal-energy changes; the ideal gas law organizes pressure, volume, temperature, and gas amount. Comparing the resulting conditions supports interpretation of the process.
Thermodynamics formulas help evaluate engines and refrigerators by connecting energy transfers with performance measures such as efficiency. In an engine, the analysis focuses on how heat and work relate to useful output; for a refrigerator, the same energy accounting describes operation in a different practical context. These calculations support comparison of system performance.
For phase changes and heat-transfer problems, the formulas provide a way to track how energy changes while the system moves between conditions. Pressure, volume, temperature, and internal energy can be related where applicable, while entropy helps assess process direction. The resulting analysis can identify equilibrium conditions and predict how the system behaves during the change.