Thermodynamics: Systems, Laws, and Processes

Vocabulary flashcards covering thermodynamic systems, laws of thermodynamics, and adiabatic processes based on the lecture text.

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

The law of thermodynamics that deals with the concept of temperature.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The law of thermodynamics mainly associated with the concept of internal energy.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

The law of thermodynamics associated with the principle of increase of entropy and determining the limit of heat conversion into work.

Third Law of Thermodynamics

The law of thermodynamics associated with absolute zero entropy.

Thermodynamic System

A prescribed region in space or a certain quantity of matter chosen for thermodynamic study.

Surroundings

The region outside the thermodynamic system.

Thermodynamic Boundary

The real or imaginary envelope that separates a system from its surroundings, which may be fixed or movable.

Universe

The system and its surroundings combined, generally considered to be an isolated system.

Closed System

A thermodynamic system in which energy can cross the boundary, but mass remains fixed and cannot cross.

Control Mass

Another name for a closed thermodynamic system, in which mass remains constant.

Open System

A thermodynamic system across whose boundary both mass and energy can flow.

Control Volume

Another name for an open thermodynamic system.

Isolated System

A special type of closed system in which neither mass nor energy can cross the boundary, keeping total energy constant.

Adiabatic System

A system in which heat cannot cross the boundary ($Q = 0$), though energy transfer via work is possible.

Adiabatic Open System

An open system that allows mass flow but experiences no heat transfer ($Q = 0$), such as an adiabatic turbine.

Adiabatic Compression

The compression of an ideal gas without heat transfer, which generally causes its temperature to increase.

Adiabatic Expansion

The expansion of an ideal gas without heat transfer, which generally causes its temperature to decrease.

Reversible Adiabatic Process Formula

The equation $PV^{\gamma} = C$ describing a reversible adiabatic process for an ideal gas.

Ratio of Specific Heats ($\gamma$)

The ratio $\gamma = \frac{C_p}{C_v}$, where $C_p$ is specific heat at constant pressure and $C_v$ is specific heat at constant volume.

Thermos Flask

An approximate real-world example of an isolated system.