Thin and Thick Wires

Thermodynamics

This wiki was created by Ryan Keefe (rkeefe3). This topics focuses on energy work of a system but it can only deal with a large scale response to heat in a system. Thermodynamics is the study of the work, heat and energy of a system. The smaller scale gas interactions can explained using the kinetic theory of gases. There are three fundamental laws that go along with the topic of thermodynamics. They are the zeroth law, the first law, and the second law. These laws help us understand predict the the operation of the physical system. In order to understand the laws, you must first understand thermal equilibrium. Thermal equilibrium is reached when a object that is at a higher temperature is in contact with an object that is at a lower temperature and the first object transfers heat to the latter object until they approach the same temperature and maintain that temperature constantly. It is also important to note that any thermodynamic system in thermal equilibrium possesses internal energy.

Zeroth Law

The zeroth law states that if two systems are at thermal equilibrium at the same time as a third system, then all of the systems are at equilibrium with each other. If systems A and C are in thermal equilibrium with B, then system A and C are also in thermal equilibrium with each other. There are underlying ideas of heat that are also important. The most prominent one is that all heat is of the same kind. As long as the systems are at thermal equilibrium, every unit of internal energy that passes from one system to the other is balanced by the same amount of energy passing back. This also applies when the two systems or objects have different atomic masses or material.

A Mathematical Model

If A = B and A = C, then B = C A = B = C

A Computational Model

How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript

First Law

The first law of thermodynamics defines the internal energy (E) as equal to the difference between heat transfer (Q) into a system and work (W) done by the system. Heat removed from a system would be given a negative sign and heat applied to the system would be given a positive sign. Internal energy can be converted into other types of energy because it acts like potential energy. Heat and work, however, cannot be stored or conserved independently because they depend on the process. This allows for many different possible states of a system to exist. There can be a process known as the adiabatic process in which there is no heat transfer. This occurs when a system is full insulated from the outside environment. The implementation of this law also brings about another useful state variable, enthalpy.

A Mathematical Model

E2 - E1 = Q - W