CHEMISTRY FOR ENGINEERS

MODULE 1: ENERGY LAWS

THE LAW OF ENERGY CONSERVATION (FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS)

-“Although energy assumes many forms, the total quantity of energy is constant, and when
energy disappears in one form, it appears simultaneously in other forms.”

Conservation of energy applies everywhere:

 As gasoline burns in a car engine, the released energy appears as an equivalent

amount of heat and work. The heat warms the car parts and surrounding air. The
work appears as mechanical energy to turn the car’s wheels and belts. The change
in energy between the reactants and products as the gasoline is burned is equal.
 Photosynthesis. Green plants convert radiant energy from the sun into chemical
energy, transforming low-energy CO2 and H2O into high energy carbohydrates
(such as wood) and O2. When the wood is burned in air, those low-energy
compounds form again, and the energy difference is released to the surroundings.
 Water can produce electricity. Water falls from the sky, converting potential
energy to kinetic energy. This energy is then used to rotate the turbine of a
generator to produce electricity. In this process, the potential energy of water in a
dam can be turned into kinetic energy which can then become electric energy.

Energy can change form, but the total quantity of energy in the universe remains the same.
The only exception to this law is when a small amount of matter is converted into energy
during nuclear fusion and fission.

SYSTEM and SURROUNDINGS

In application of the first law to a given process, the sphere of influence of the process is
divided into two parts: the system and its surroundings. The system is the region in which the
process occurs, and the surrounding is everything with which the system interacts. Since these
two parts are equal to the total energy of the universe, Euniv, it can be concluded that:

𝐸𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑣 = 𝐸𝑠𝑦𝑠 + 𝐸𝑠𝑢𝑟

but since the total amount of energy within the universe does not change, one can set a change in
energy of the system and surroundings to equal:

∆𝐸𝑠𝑦𝑠 + ∆𝐸𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑟 = 0

Therefore,

∆𝐸𝑠𝑦𝑠 = −∆𝐸𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑟

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TYPES OF SYSTEM

(a) Closed System: The boundary of this system does not permit transfer of matter between
the system and its surroundings, but allows heat transfer.
(b) Open System: Matter and energy freely crosses the system to the surroundings, vv.
(c) Isolated System: No matter nor energy is being exchanged with the surroundings .

ENERGY BALANCES IN SYSTEMS

(a) CLOSED SYSTEM

There are three main types of energy in a closed system; kinetic energy (KE), potential
energy (PE), and internal energy(U). All energy exchange between a closed system and
its sorroundings then appears as heat and work, and the total energy change of the
surroundings equals the net energy transferred to or from it as heat and work:
∆(Energy change in surroundings) = ±Q ±W
∆(Energy change in surroundings) = Q surr + W surr = -Q –W
∆(Energy of the system)= Q + W
U + KE + PE = +Q+W
INTERNAL ENERGY (U)
This is the energy associated with the random, disordered motion of atoms or
molecules. It does not include energy that it may possess as a result of its macroscopic
position or movement, rather it refers to the energy of the molecules internal to the
substance. This is a thermodynamic primitive and cannot be directly measured.

Sign Conventions of work and heat

PROCESS SIGN
Work done by the system on the surroundings -
Work done on the system by the surroundings +
Heat absorbed by the system from the surroundings (endothermic) -
Heat absorbed by the surroundings from the system (exothermic) +

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(b) OPEN SYSTEM

Energy balance in an open system:
H + KE + PE = Q + W

ENTHALPY(H)

This is defined as the internal energy plus the product of pressure and volume:

H = U + PV

, thus change in enthalpy is

∆H = ∆U + P∆V

or change in enthalpy equals the heat gained or lost at constant pressure.

MECHANICAL ENERGY BALANCE (BERNOULLI EQUATION)

The energy balances provided earlier can be recast into a “mechanical energy balance.”
The mechanical energy balance is most useful for processes in which changes in the potential
and kinetic energies are of primary interest, rather than changes in internal energy or heat
associated with the process

Where: W’ – actual work

∆P – change in pressure

ρ - density

∑F – summation of frictional losses

EFFICIENCY(ƞ)

Efficiency is the ratio of the actual to the ideal work, or how much useful energy you can
get out of the system. For work produced:
𝑾′
Ƞ=
𝑾𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍

In theory, a 100% energy efficient machine would change all of the energy put in it into useful
work. Converting one form of energy into another form always involves a loss of usable energy,
usually in the form of heat.

In fact, most energy transformations are not very efficient. The human body is no
exception. Your body is like a machine, and the fuel for your “machine” is food. Food gives us
the energy to move, breathe, and think. But your body isn’t very efficient at converting food

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into useful work. Your body’s overall efficiency is about 15%. The rest of the energy is used as
heat. An incandescent light bulb isn’t efficient either. A light bulb converts 10% of the electrical
energy into light and the rest (90%) is converted into thermal energy (heat). That’s why a light
bulb is so hot to the touch.

PROBLEMS:

1. A gas in a cylinder initially at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, is heated . It

then expands and moves up the piston. If the initial volume of the gas (0.31 m3) doubles,
how much work has the gas done?
2. What is the internal energy of a system whose surrounding lose 100J of heat while
performing 301 J of work onto the system. Assume that the gas in the system has
constant pressure.

3. 1 kg of water at 15°C is added to 5 kg of water at 60°C. What is the temperature of the

water when it reaches thermal equilibrium?

4. You are interested in analyzing the flow of crude oil (ρ = 0.87g/cm3 ) through an
inclined pipe of varying cross section, where the pressure at A is the same as that of B.
The fluid velocity at A is 5 m/s and at B is 15 m/s. There are no frictional losses. What is
the theoretical work? Assuming an efficiency of 80%, what is the actual work?

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