Thermodynamics and Energy Concepts

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to thermodynamics and energy, ideal for preparing for an exam based on the provided lecture notes.

Real gases

Gases that do not strictly follow the ideal gas laws, especially at high pressures and low temperatures.

Internal energy

Total intermolecular potential energy plus total random kinetic energy of the molecules of a substance.

Specific Heat Capacity

Quantity of thermal energy required to raise the temperature of a unit mass of a material by one degree.

Specific Latent Heat

Thermal energy absorbed or released, per unit mass of a substance, at constant temperature during a change of phase.

Thermal Equilibrium

State where two physical systems are at the same temperature, resulting in no heat flow between them.

Isochoric Process

A process in which the volume remains constant.

Isobaric Process

A process in which pressure remains constant.

Isothermal Process

A process in which temperature remains constant.

Adiabatic Process

A process in which no thermal energy transfer occurs.

Entropy

A measure of disorder in a system, which increases in all natural processes.

Ideal Gas

A gas that obeys the ideal gas law (pV = nRT) at all pressures, volumes, and temperatures.

Avogadro Constant

The number of atoms in 12 g of carbon-12, approximately 6.022 x 10^23.

Thermal Energy

The net amount of energy transferred between two bodies at different temperatures.

Conduction

Transfer of heat energy through direct contact of particles.

Convection

Transfer of heat energy through the movement of particles in a fluid.

Emissivity

The ratio of power emitted by a body to the power emitted if it were a black body.

Sankey Diagram

Visual representation of energy flow in a process.

Greenhouse Effect

The trapping of thermal energy by molecular resonances in the atmosphere.

Photovoltaic Cells

Devices that convert sunlight directly into electricity.

Renewable Energy

Fuel sources that are replenished in relatively short times or continually available.

Degraded Energy

Thermal energy transferred to the surroundings that is no longer available to do useful work.

Ohm's Law

The relationship stating that current is proportional to voltage at constant temperature for ohmic resistors.

Terminal Potential Difference

The potential difference across the two ends of a power source.

Internal Resistance

The resistance within a battery or cell that causes energy loss.

Capacity of a Cell

The ability of a cell to release charge, often measured in ampere-hours (Ah) or milliampere-hours (mAh).