Thermodynamics Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts from thermodynamics as discussed in the lecture.

Isothermal Process

A thermodynamic process in which the temperature remains constant while heat is transferred.

Adiabatic Process

A process in which no heat is exchanged with the surroundings, meaning Q = 0.

Carnot Cycle

A theoretical cycle that represents the most efficient possible heat engine, consisting of two isothermal and two adiabatic processes.

Work Done on Gas

The work is considered positive when the gas is compressed, indicating energy is added to the system.

Entropy Change

The measure of disorder or randomness in a system, defined by ext{ΔS} = rac{Q}{T} during an isothermal process.

Heat Transfer

The movement of thermal energy from one physical system to another, which occurs during isothermal processes.

PV = nRT

The ideal gas law relating pressure (P), volume (V), number of moles (n), ideal gas constant (R), and temperature (T).

Thermal Reservoir

A system that can absorb or supply heat without changing its own temperature, often used in isothermal processes.

Compression of Gas

The process by which the volume of a gas decreases, resulting in an increase in pressure and temperature.

Path Independence

The principle that the total energy change in a system depends only on the initial and final states and not on the path taken.