The First Law of Thermodynamics
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ScribdTranslationsThe First Law of Thermodynamics
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ScribdTranslationsTHE FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS
The first law of thermodynamics is designed especially for closed thermodynamic
systems, remembering what a closed system is, it is defined as a limited part of the
universe in which there is no change of matter with the environment, however, there is a
change of energy , this energy change is given by various types of processes .
Types of thermodynamic systems
In the first law of thermodynamics, it states that the change in the total energy of a
closed system, ΔU, is given by the sum of the work done on or by the system and the
net heat transfer to or from the system. When work is performed and it works through a
calorific process, the first law of thermodynamics can be mathematically defined as
“The change in the internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system
minus the work done by the system.”
First Law of Thermodynamics
As mentioned previously in the first law of thermodynamics, there is a change in
internal energy, this change in energy is given by various types of processes , such as
isobaric, isochoric, isothermal, adiabatic processes, etc.
Convention or agreement of the signs of heat (Q) and work (W)
When we talk about work and heat in a thermodynamic system we can talk about the
fact that a change occurs in the system, this change requires a thermodynamic process in
which mathematically it can be represented in many ways, to date there are several
ways to express work in a system and the signs of the equations that can be expressed as
follows:
Positive (+), for the work and heat that leaves the medium and enters the system
and increases the internal energy.
Positive (+), for the work and heat that leave the system and is delivered to the
environment.
Thermodynamic processes
A thermodynamic process is any change in the state of a system or, in other words, it is
the evolution of the thermodynamic physical properties relative to said system.
An isothermal process, during which the temperature of the system remains constant.
An adiabatic process, during which no heat is transferred to or from the system. An
isobaric process, during which the pressure of the system does not change. An isochoric
process, during which the volume of the system does not change.
The graphs of these thermodynamic processes look like this:
Thermodynamic processes
The graph of an isobaric process occurs at a constant pressure, which is why you see a
straight line in which there is only a change in volume. This type of process is very
common in cylinder-piston systems.
In an isochoric process, also known as an isovolumetric process, it occurs at a constant
volume, so there is only a change in pressure. This type of process is very common in
rigid structures, when there is an increase in energy due to heat in the system. .
When an isothermal process occurs at a constant temperature, the lines on the graphs do
not change and are known as isotherms. Their graphic interpretation is very important
for the way you solve the exercise. In this type of case, the amount of energy in the
system is proportional to the amount of energy of the system itself.
Sources consulted:
TheBestEducationalAdvice. (2020, January 19). THERMODYNAMICS.
EVERYTHING YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE FIRST LAW OF
THERMODYNAMICS [DON'T MISS IT!!] [Video]. Youtube. Retrieved October
14, 2022, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUTrL5oDvF4
Cengel, B. AND. TO. (2019, May 20). THERMODYNAMICS (9th ed .). McGraw
Hill.