Thermodynamics and Thermochemistry - Lecture 01 Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the introductory concepts of thermodynamics, types of systems, boundaries, and state vs. path functions.

Chemical thermodynamics

The study of the interrelation of heat and work with chemical reactions or with physical changes of state within the confines of the laws of thermodynamics.

Thermodynamics

The study that deals with various forms of energies and their interconversions in physical and chemical processes.

Macroscopic systems

Large-scale systems to which the laws of thermodynamics apply, as opposed to microscopic systems like individual atoms or molecules.

Chemical Kinetics

The study of the rate of reaction, which is a limitation of thermodynamics as thermodynamics does not provide this information.

System

Refers to that part of the universe in which observations are made or the part of the universe which is under observation.

Surroundings

The remaining part of the universe apart from the system which can interact with the system.

Universe

The combination of the system and the surroundings together.

Boundary

The wall that separates the system from the surroundings, which can be real or imaginary.

Rigid wall

A boundary that is immovable.

Non-Rigid wall

A boundary that is movable or flexible, such as a piston or balloon.

Adiabatic wall

An insulating wall across which heat cannot be exchanged between the system and surroundings.

Diathermic wall

A conducting wall that allows heat to be exchanged across it.

Open System

A system in which both energy and matter can be exchanged with the surroundings, such as boiling water on a stove or living organisms like humans.

Closed System

A system which can exchange energy with the surroundings but not matter, such as a hot container with a lid.

Isolated System

A system which cannot exchange matter or energy with the surroundings, for example, a thermos flask or the universe.

State of a System

The condition of a system when macroscopic properties have definite values.

State variables

Properties which determine the state of the system, such as pressure ($P$), volume ($V$), temperature ($T$), and number of moles ($n$).

State function

Properties of a system which depend only on the initial and final state of the system and not upon the path followed to reach that state.

Path function

Thermodynamic functions which depend upon the path followed by the system to reach a specific state.