What is Thermodynamics?
Welcome to Thermodynamics!
The science of energy transformation
Thermodynamics is the study of energy and its transformations. It answers questions like: How much work can we get from a fuel? Why do things cool down? What's the maximum efficiency of an engine?
Unlike mechanics (which tracks individual particles), thermodynamics deals with macroscopic properties like temperature, pressure, and volume. It's incredibly powerful because it works without knowing the microscopic details.
Key Terms
Types of Systems
Key Takeaways
Thermodynamics studies energy transformations
Systems exchange energy (and sometimes mass) with surroundings
State is defined by properties like P, V, T
Open = mass flow allowed, Closed = no mass flow