Work and Heat

Thermodynamics 1
Lecture 3
Work definition
Work
1. Note that we have anticipated that the work
differential is inexact.
2. work integrals will be path-dependent
3. The units of force are N, those of distance are
m, so the units of work are N m, that have
been defined as Joules (J).
4. Work is done by a system if the sole effect on
the surroundings (i.e. everything external to
the system) could be the raising of a weight.
+ work done by the system,
− work done on the system.
 work
❑ Power: the time rate of doing work = δW/dt.
❑ Specific work: the work per unit mass w = W/m. Because
work is path-dependent, the intensive quantity w is not a
thermodynamic state variable.
Work
•  
isothermal process
Now, if n = 1, we have P V = C, that corresponds to an
isothermal process if the material is also an ideal gas.
Sample Problem:
An ideal gas undergoes a two-step process. Beginning at state
1, it is isothermally compressed to state 2. Then it is
isobarically compressed to state 3. Find the work.

Solution:
Heat
Modes of heat transfer
1. heat diffusion, also called conduction.

• This is characterized by Fourier’s law

q = −k∇T,
• Where: q is the heat flux vector with units J/s/m2 =
W/m2 ,
k is the thermal conductivity with units J/s/m/K =
W/m/K, and
∇T is the vector representing the gradient of
temperature. Recall that ∇T is a vector pointing in
the direction in which T rises most rapidly. Because
of the minus sign, we see then that the thermal
energy flows in the direction of most rapid
temperature decrease.
conduction
Convection and radiation
Heat as path dependent
Q and W; similarities

❑ Q and W as well as q and w are affiliated with transient

phenomena; both cross boundaries when the system changes
state.
❑ Q and W as well as q and w only exist at system boundaries.
❑ Q and W as well as q and w are both path-dependent, have
inexact differentials, and
❑ are not properties of the system.