Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts in thermodynamics and heat transfer.

Thermal Equilibrium

No heat flow between systems, implying they are at the same temperature.

Thermal Conductivity

The capacity of an object to conduct heat.

Specific Heat

The amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of a unit mass by 1°C.

Latent Heat

The heat absorbed or released during a phase change without changing temperature.

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

If A is in thermal equilibrium with B, and B is in thermal equilibrium with C, then A is in thermal equilibrium with C.

Boyle’s Law

The volume of a gas is inversely proportional to its pressure at constant temperature.

Charles's Law

The volume of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature at constant pressure.

Gay-Lussac’s Law

The pressure of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature at constant volume.

Mole

The amount of substance containing 6.02E23 molecules, equivalent to its molecular mass in grams.

Heat Transfer

The process of energy moving from a high temperature body to a low temperature body.

Anomalous Expansion

When water contracts upon cooling up to 4°C and then expands upon freezing.

Thermodynamics

The study of heat and its relation to work and energy.

Conduction

Heat transfer through direct contact between materials.

Convection

Heat transfer through the movement of fluids (liquids or gases).

Radiation

Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves without the need for a medium.

Heat Capacity

The quantity of heat needed to change the temperature of an object by one degree Celsius.

Internal Energy (U)

The total energy contained by a system, including kinetic and potential energy of molecules.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The change in internal energy of a system equals the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Heat energy naturally flows from higher to lower temperature bodies, increasing overall entropy.

Third Law of Thermodynamics

Entropy of a perfect crystal approaches zero as the temperature approaches absolute zero.