Thermodynamics Science Olympiad 26-27

Open System

A type of thermodynamic system that can exchange both matter and energy with its surroundings. Examples include boiling water in an open pot. In an open system, the flow of mass and energy occurs freely across the system boundary, allowing for continuous interactions with the environment.

Closed System

A type of thermodynamic system that can exchange energy but not matter with its surroundings. An example is a sealed container where heat can enter or leave, but no mass can escape. In a closed system, mass remains constant while energy can vary, allowing for processes like heating or cooling without loss of material.

Isolated System

A type of thermodynamic system that cannot exchange matter or energy with its surroundings. An example is a thermos bottle that keeps its contents insulated from the external environment, maintaining a constant mass and energy.

Intensive Properties

Properties that do not depend on the amount of substance present. Examples include temperature, pressure, and density, which remain the same regardless of the system size.

Extensive Properties

Properties that depend on the amount of substance present, such as mass, volume, and total energy. Unlike intensive properties, extensive properties change with the size of the system.