- Laws of Thermodynamics
Lesson1- Laws of Thermodynamics Annette Tyler Laws of Thermodynamics Thermodynamics is the study of energy, the conversion of energy to various forms and the ability of energy to do work. The term ‘Thermodynamics’ originate from two root words ‘thermo’ which means heat and ‘dynamic’ which means power. The laws of thermodynamics are absolute and the observable universe obeys the Laws of Thermodynamics.
The First Law of Thermodynamics is commonly known as the Law of Conservation of Matter, states that matter or energy cannot be created nor destroyed. It means the quantity of matter or energy remains the same. Matter can change its state from solid state to liquid, liquid to gas, gas to plasma or back again. Still the total amount of matter or energy in the universe remains constant. If we take an example of a machine, the total energy output from the machine is equal to the heat supplied. In real world applications of the first law we can see some energy always escapes into the outside world, thus leading to inefficiency. This escape can be explained using The Second Law of Thermodynamics.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics is otherwise known as the Law of Increased Entropy. ‘Entropy’ is defined as quantity of unusable energy within a closed or isolated system. According to this law, the quality of matter or energy depreciates slowly over time. Usable energy is used for some form of output, growth and repair. In all these process of conversion of usable energy into unusable energy, usable energy is irretrievably lost in the form of unusable energy. Energy differs in its quality or ability to do useful work. Energy must move or flow from a level of high-quality energy to a level of lower-quality energy in the process of a useful work.
The second law of thermodynamics states that when energy changes from one form to another, some of the useful energy is always degraded to lower-quality, more dispersed, less useful energy. When a barrel of oil that
The First Law of Thermodynamics is commonly known as the Law of Conservation of Matter, states that matter or energy cannot be created nor destroyed. It means the quantity of matter or energy remains the same. Matter can change its state from solid state to liquid, liquid to gas, gas to plasma or back again. Still the total amount of matter or energy in the universe remains constant. If we take an example of a machine, the total energy output from the machine is equal to the heat supplied. In real world applications of the first law we can see some energy always escapes into the outside world, thus leading to inefficiency. This escape can be explained using The Second Law of Thermodynamics.
The Second Law of Thermodynamics is otherwise known as the Law of Increased Entropy. ‘Entropy’ is defined as quantity of unusable energy within a closed or isolated system. According to this law, the quality of matter or energy depreciates slowly over time. Usable energy is used for some form of output, growth and repair. In all these process of conversion of usable energy into unusable energy, usable energy is irretrievably lost in the form of unusable energy. Energy differs in its quality or ability to do useful work. Energy must move or flow from a level of high-quality energy to a level of lower-quality energy in the process of a useful work.
The second law of thermodynamics states that when energy changes from one form to another, some of the useful energy is always degraded to lower-quality, more dispersed, less useful energy. When a barrel of oil that
References: Matter and Energy Laws: A Primer. Retrieved on July 1, 2012 from: http://bioweb.wku.edu/courses/biol280/280mat.html Second Law of Thermodynamics. Retrieved on July 1, 2012 from: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/seclaw.html Three Laws of Thermodynamics. Retrieved on July 1, 2012 from: http://www.physicsplanet.com/articles/three-laws-of-thermodynamics