Austin Bosse

Julie Sandland
Text to Visual
October 1, 2015

Energy Balance Equation Thermodynamics

The total energy is written with the kinetic energy and the potential energy associated
with the gravitational field as
1
E = me = U + KE + PE = m(u + ke + pe) = mu + 2 mV2 + mgZ
(3.1)
And in a process it is possible to see changes in any of the energy forms. The kinetic and
potential energies are associated with the physical state and location of the mass and generally
are labeled mechanical energy to distinguish them from the internal energy, which is
characteristic of the thermodynamic state of the mass and thus is labeled thermal energy. For a
control volume with constant mass, a control mass, we express the conservation of energy as a
basic physical principle in a mathematical equation. This principle states that you cannot create
or destroy energy within the limits of classical physics. This limitation means that quantum
mechanical effects, which would change the energy associated with a change in mass, are
ignored, as well as relativity, so we assume that any velocity is significantly smaller than the
speed of light. From this we deduce that if the control mass has a change in energy, the change
must be due to an energy transfer into or out of the mass. Such energy transfers are not related to
any mas transfer (we look at a control mass), and they can only occur as work or heat transfers.
(Borgnakke, Sonntag 82)
To illustrate how the energy balance equation works, I decided to create a schematic
diagram. I pondered the various visuals that could be used and decided that the schematic
diagram would display the information most effectively because it is showing an equation, not
the analysis or relationships of numbers. This visual explains the energy balance equation and its
components in a more simple and applicable manner. One limitation of this diagram is that it
does not provide any specific examples of how to use the equation in a real life situation. I
defined the variables from the original equation making it easier to solve and showed the various
energies transferred in and out of the system. Color coordinating the variables with the text
equation demonstrates the direction of the heat, work, and energy transfers throughout the
system. This energy balance equation visual was created to allow people to comprehend this
equation and its variables with ease.

References
Borgnakke, Claus, and Richard E. Sonntag. "Chapter Three." Fundamentals of Thermodynamics.
8th ed. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2013. 81-84. Print.