What is thermodynamics ?

The field of science , which deals with the energies possessed by gases and vapours is known as
Thermodynamics.

What is Thermal Engineering ?

The field of engineering science, which deals with the application of thermodynamics and its laws to
work producing and work absorbing devices.

Concept of pure substance

“ a pure substance is defined as one that
is homogeneous and invariable in
chemical composition throughout its
mass.”

Atmospheric air, steam –water mixture

and combustion products of fuel are
regarded as pure substance

But the mixture of air and liquid air is

not a pure substance, since the
relative proportion of oxygen and
nitrogen differ in the gas and liquid
phases in equilibrium.
Thermodynamic system (system)
A definite area or a space where some
thermodynamic processes is taking
place.
It is a region where our attention is
focused for studying
thermodynamic processes.
 A little observation will show that a
thermodynamic system has its
boundaries and any thing
outside the boundaries is called
as surrounding.

boundary

system
surrounding

UNIT I
System:

A thermodynamic system is defined as a quantity of matter or a region in space which is

selected for the study.

Suroundings:

The mass or region outside the system is called surroundings.

Boundary:

The real or imaginary surfaces which separates the system and surroundings is called
boundary. The real or imaginary surfaces which separates the system and surroundings is
called boundary.
Types of thermodynamic system

On the basis of mass and energy transfer the thermodynamic system is divided into three
types.

1. Closed system
2. Open system
3. Isolated system

Closed system: A system in which the transfer of energy but not mass can takes place across
the boundary is called closed system. The mass inside the closed system remains constant.

For example: Boiling of water in a closed vessel. Since the water is boiled in closed vessel so
the mass of water cannot escapes out of the boundary of the system but heat energy
continuously entering and leaving the boundary of the vessel. It is an example of closed
system.

Open system: A system in which the transfer of both mass and energy takes place is called
an open system. This system is also known as control volume.
For example: Boiling of water in an open vessel is an example of open system because the
water and heat energy both enters and leaves the boundary of the vessel.

Isolated system: A system in which the transfer of mass and energy cannot takes place is
called an isolated system.

For example: Tea present in a thermos flask. In this the heat and the mass of the tea cannot
cross the boundary of the thermos flask. Hence the thermos flak is an isolated system.

Control Volume:

 Its a system of fixed volume.

 This type of system is usually referred to as "open system” or a "control volume"
 Mass transfer can take place across a control volume.
 Energy transfer may also occur into or out of the system.
 Control Surface- Its the boundary of a control volume across which the transfer of
both mass and energy takes place.
 The mass of a control volume (open system) may or may not be fixed.
 When the net influx of mass across the control surface equals zero then the mass of
the system is fixed and vice-versa.
 The identity of mass in a control volume always changes unlike the case for a control
mass system (closed system).
 Most of the engineering devices, in general, represent an open system or control
 volume.
Example:
Heat exchanger - Fluid enters and leaves the system continuously with the transfer of heat
across the system boundary.
Pump - A continuous flow of fluid takes place through the system with a transfer of
mechanical energy from the surroundings to the system
Microscopic Approach:
 The approach considers that the system is made up of a very large number of
discrete particles known as molecules. These molecules have different velocities are
energies. The values of these energies are constantly changing with time. This
approach to thermodynamics, which is concerned directly with the structure of the
matter, is known as statistical thermodynamics.
 The behavior of the system is found by using statistical methods, as the number of
molecules is very large. So advanced statistical and mathematical methods are
needed to explain the changes in the system.
 The properties like velocity, momentum, impulse, kinetic energy and instruments
cannot easily measure force of impact etc. that describe the molecule.
 Large numbers of variables are needed to describe a system. So the approach is
complicated.
Macroscopic Approach:
 In this approach a certain quantity of matter is considered without taking into
account the events occurring at molecular level. In other words this approach to
thermodynamics is concerned with gross or overall behavior. This is known as
classical thermodynamics.
 The analysis of macroscopic system requires simple mathematical formula.
 The value of the properties of the system are their average values. For examples
consider a sample of gas in a closed container. The pressure of the gas is the average
value of the pressure exerted by millions of individual molecules.
 In order to describe a system only a few properties are needed.

S.No Macroscopic Approach Microscopic Approach

 In this approach a certain quantity of The matter is considered to be
matter is considered without taking comprised of a large number of tiny
into account the events occurring at particles known as molecules, which
molecular level. moves randomly in chaotic fashion.
The effect of molecular motion is
1
considered.

Analysis is concerned with overall The Knowledge of the structure of

behavior of the system. matter is essential in analyzing the
2 behavior of the system.
This approach is used in the study of This approach is used in the study of
3 classical thermodynamics. statistical thermodynamics.
A few properties are required to Large numbers of variables are
4 describe the system. required to describe the system.
The properties like pressure, The properties like velocity,
temperature, etc. needed to describe momentum, kinetic energy, etc.
the system, can be easily measured. needed to describe the system,
5 cannot be measured easily.
The properties of the system are their The properties are defined for each
6 average values. molecule individually.

This approach requires simple No. of molecules are very large

mathematical formulas for analyzing so it requiresadvanced
the system. statistical and
mathematical method to explain
7
any change in the system.
Thermodynamic Equilibrium:

A thermodynamic system is said to exist in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium when

no change in any macroscopic property is registered if the system is isolated from its
surroundings.
An isolated system always reaches in the course of time a state of thermodynamic
equilibrium and can never depart from it spontaneously.
Therefore, there can be no spontaneous change in any macroscopic property if the
system exists in an equilibrium state. A thermodynamic system will be in a state of
thermodynamic equilibrium if the system is the state of Mechanical equilibrium,
Chemical equilibrium and Thermal equilibrium.
 Mechanical equilibrium: The criteria for Mechanical equilibrium are the
equality of pressures.
 Chemical equilibrium: The criteria for Chemical equilibrium are the equality of
chemical potentials.
 Thermal equilibrium: The criterion for Thermal equilibrium is the equality of
temperatures.
State:

The thermodynamic state of a system is defined by specifying values of a set of

measurable properties sufficient to determine all other properties. For fluid systems,
typical properties are pressure, volume and temperature. More complex systems may
require the specification of more unusual properties. As an example, the state of an
electric battery requires the specification of the amount of electric charge it contains.

Property:

Properties may be extensive or intensive.

Intensive properties: The properties which are independent of the mass of
thesystem. For example: Temperature, pressure and density are the intensive
properties.
Extensive properties: The properties which depend on the size or extent of the system
are called extensive properties.
For example: Total mass, total volume and total momentum.

Process:
When the system undergoes change from one thermodynamic state to final state due
change in properties like temperature, pressure, volume etc, the system is said to have
undergone thermodynamic process.
Various types of thermodynamic processes are: isothermal process, adiabatic process,
isochoric process, isobaric process and reversible process.