Thermodynamics Cheat Sheet

Basic thermodynamic processes

p:
V , V :
T , T :
m:

pressure [Pa]
volume, change in volume [m3 ]
temperature, change in temperature [K]
mass [kg]

cp , cV :

specific heat at constant pressure, volume

:
Wg :
Q:
U:
h

J
kgK

cp /cV
work done by the gas [J]
heat transferred to the gas [J]
change in internal energy [J]

Process

Definition

Work done by the gas

Heat transfer

Change in internal energy

isobaric

p = const.

Wg = pV

Q = cp mT

U = Q Wg

isochoric

V = const.

Wg = 0

Q = cV mT

U = Q

isothermal

T = const.

adiabatic

Q=0

Wg = nRT ln

Wg =

V2
V1

p2 V 2 p1 V 1
1

Q = nRT ln

Q=0

V2
V1

U = 0

U = Wg