C.

Alistair Dumaup

Dr. Bruce

English 363

Thermodynamics is defined as the study of heat flow and energy It

is an essential part of physics, chemistry and an array of other STEM
fields. Its primary focus is the relation between heat, energy, and
work done in a system. Thermodynamics only deals with large-scale
systems in which we can measure and observe experiments. There
are three laws that govern the world of thermodynamics, which will
be discussed more in detail as we go along. To further understand
the concept of thermodynamics, we need to discuss the three types
of thermodynamic systems. Figure 1 The basic example of an open
system

There are three types of thermodynamic systems. A system is

defined as a bounded container and the surrounding space around it
in which matter is being analyzed or studied. (See Figure 1).

Open System – Usually, a system must have interactions with its

surroundings. An open system is where the transfer of mass and
energy in the form of heat or work can take place across the
boundary

Closed system – A system in which no mass is transferred but energy

transfer takes place despite its boundaries. Energy in the form of
heat or work done by the system could be introduced, Imagine a Figure 1.2 a closed system
illustrated by a cylinder closed with a
closed cylinder with a movable piston is moved up or down. (See
piston.
Figure 1.2)

Isolated system – An isolated system is completely separated from

its environment by an insulator. A thermos is a good example of an
isolated system. Although, the thermos is not fully insulated because work – refers to forms of
of the tiny gaps between the cap and the flask itself. energy transfer. It is the quantity
of energy transferred from one
system to another.
 Brief history of thermodynamics
The thermometer’s invention was the first step into understanding the Figure 2 The
principle of thermodynamics. This was important because we needed Fahrenheit
thermometer
precise measurements when conducting experiments. [5]
German physician, Ludwig Ferdinand Von Helmholtz, formulated a
decade after the thermometers invention; the law of conservation of
energy but this was not enough to explain the idea of how heat can
spontaneously flow only from hot to cold materials.

According to American Physicist Willard Gibbs, the foundation of

thermodynamics was first introduced in 1850, when the publication of
on the motive power of heat, and on the laws, which can be, deduced
from it the theory of heat by German physicist Rudolf Clausius. Which
Gibbs says, “marks an epoch in history in physics”[6]
Glass Blower and physicist
In the book titled; A manual of the steam engine and other prime Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit
movers by William Rankine contained the first chapter called the (1686-1736) invented the first
standardized Thermometer in
principle of thermodynamics which talked about the mechanical
1724. [5]
equivalence of heat. To define thermodynamics, Rankine implies that “It
is a matter of ordinary observation, that heat, by expanding bodies, is a
source of mechanical energy; and conversely, that mechanical energy,
being expended either in compressing bodies, or in friction, is a source
of heat. The reduction of the laws according to which such phenomena The law of conservation of
take place, to a physical theory, or connected system of principles, energy states that energy can
constitutes what is called the science of thermodynamics.”[7] neither be created nor
destroyed.
Thermodynamics is based on three laws.

The first law of thermodynamics states that between two equilibrium states, the change in
internal energy is equal to the difference of heat transfers into the system and work done by the
system. This basically states the law of conservation of energy. Energy can neither be created nor
destroyed, only can be transferred or changed from one form to another. This can be expressed
with the equation

∆𝑼 = 𝑸 + 𝑾
∆𝑈 is the change in internal energy and the symbols Q and W represent heat and work
respectively. The change in energy is the sum of heat added plus work done. Rudolf Clausius and
William Thomson (Kelvin) formulated this law. [1]

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a system Entropy is a
and its surroundings will never decrease. Entropy could also be defined as the thermodynamic
level of disorder in a system. quantity
representing the
The system tends to move from order to disorder behavior as time goes by. This
amount of
also applies to the fact that heat does not flow from a cold object to a hotter one. energy(particles in
This law primarily focuses on the direction of processes. It conveys that a natural disorder) in a
process only flows one way and is irreversible. system that is no
Sadi Carnot, a French physicist was responsible for the origins of the second law. longer available
His work along with Clausius and Thomson paved the way for the third law of for work. [7]
thermodynamics. [9]

Figure 3 A graphic depiction of the concept of entropy

(with gas molecules)
The third law of thermodynamics states that “as a system approaches Kelvin is the
absolute zero (in Kelvin), all processes cease and the entropy of the primary unit of
temperature
system approaches a minimum value.” This conveys that less thermal
measurement in
energy in a system equates to lower overall entropy in the system. We the sciences. It is
stated in the second law that the entropy of a system never decreases named after
therefore we can assume that entropy is always increasing or stays the William Thomson,
Lord Kelvin.
same.
References:

[1] Stephen wolfram. SOME HISTORICAL NOTES. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.wolframscience.com/reference/notes/1019b

[2] Khemani, H. (2018, November 12). What is a Thermodynamic System? Types of

Thermodynamic Systems. Retrieved from
https://www.brighthubengineering.com/thermodynamics/3733-what-is-a-thermodynamic-
system/

[3] Hall, N. (n.d.). Thermodynamics. Retrieved from https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-

12/airplane/thermo1.html

[4] Libretexts. (2019, April 27). 3.1: Thermodynamic Systems. Retrieved from
https://phys.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/University_Physics/Book:_University_Physics_(
OpenStax)/Map:_University_Physics_II_-
_Thermodynamics,_Electricity,_and_Magnetism_(OpenStax)/3:_The_First_Law_of_The
rmodynamics/3.1:_Thermodynamic_Systems

[5] David Bozsaky. The historical development of thermodynamics (PDF). January 2010
URL:
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/286935905_The_Historical_Development_of_T
hermodynamics

[6] Peter G. Tait (1868). Sketch of Thermodynamics. Kessinger Publisher (reprint)

[7] Thims, L. (n.d.). History of thermodynamics. Retrieved from

http://www.eoht.info/page/History of thermodynamics

[8] Entropy - Dictionary Definition. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/entropy

[9] Libretexts. (2019, April 24). 2nd Law of Thermodynamics. Retrieved from
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook
_Maps/Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Thermodynamics
/The_Four_Laws_of_Thermodynamics/Second_Law_of_Thermodynamics
I employed a couple of Markel’s method into writing my definition. One technique I used
partitioning when talking about the laws of thermodynamics and the systems involved in
thermodynamic processes. I also used relative graphics with brief descriptions right
underneath.

P.s. I would like to acknowledge Daniel Sandoval for reviewing my paper thoroughly and
helping me see that my graphic organization was a little too close together that he wasn’t
able to distinguish the separation between images.