MEC121 - GENERAL THERMODYNAMICS & HEAT TRANSFER Mass Density (ρ) – the ratio of the mass of a substance to its

the ratio of the mass of a substance to its volume.

THERMODYNAMICS – a branch of physical science that treats of various where:
phenomenon of energy and related properties of matter, especially of the transformation m = total mass of the body or substance
of heat into other forms of energy and vice-versa. (ex. Electrical power generation - V = total volume of the substance
Converting heat into electrical power) ρ = 1000 kg/m3 = 1 kg/li = 62.4 lb/ft3 (for water)
Types of Thermodynamics:
Classical Thermodynamics - refers to the macroscopic approach is concerned with the
gross or overall behavior Weight Density (δ) – the ratio of the weight of a substance to its volume. It is also known as
Statistical Thermodynamics - refers to microscopic approach is concerned directly with “specific weight”.
the structure of matter δ = W/V where:
THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEM W = weight of the body or substance
Thermodynamic System – any region of space or a finite quantity that occupies a V = total volume of the substance
volume and has boundary. The sum of the system and the surroundings is the universe. δ = 9.81 kN/m3 = 1 kgf/li = 62.4 lb/ft3 (for water)
APPLICATIONS: Specific Volume (ʋ) – the ratio of the volume of a substance to its mass. It is the reciprocal of
 Refrigerator the mass density.
 Boats where:
 Aircrafts and Spacecrafts  V  1 m m = total mass of the body or substance
V = total volume of the substance
 Power plants
ρ = mass density
 Human body
Specific Gravity (S.G.) – the ratio of the weight (or density) of any substance to the weight
 Cars (or density) of a standard substance (usually water).
 Wind turbines where: S.G. for common liquids:
 Food processing water = 1
 A piping network in an industrial facility  s mercury = 13.6
S.G. seawater = 1.03
`THERMODYNAMIC SYSTEM - or simply
  wat oil = 0.8 (if not specified)
system refers to the quantity of matter or certain er Note:
volume in space chosen for study. This is the thing If S.G. < 1.0, the substance will float in the
that we are always talking about in If S.G. > 1.0, the substance will sink in the water
thermodynamics.
SURROUNDINGS - are FLOW RATE EQUATIONS:
the mass
system   m
or region outside the
1. Volume Flow Rate ( V̇ ) - the volume of fluid flowing passed a given point or section
V in unit time.
V = total volume of the fluid
BOUNDARY - is the real or imaginary
surface that separates the system from
V̇ = V/t = a x v t = time of flow
the surroundings (Fixed or movable) A = cross-sectional area
v = fluid velocity
2. Mass Flow Rate (ṁ) - the mass of fluid flowing passed a given point or section in unit
TYPES OF THERMODYNAMIC time.
SYSTEM: where:
ṁ = m/t m = mass of the body
Closed System – also known as “non-flow ṁ=ρxV=ρxAxv t = time of flow
system”, is a system where the mass within the ρ = mass density
boundary remains constant. A closed system permits v = velocity of flow
exchange of heat and work with the surroundings, but A = cross sectional area
does not permit any mass transfer across the 3. Mass Continuity Equation: For any two sections in an open system:
boundary. Where:
ṁ1 = ṁ2 ṁ1 = ρ1A1v1
ṁ2 = ρ2A2v2
Open System – also known as “steady-flow system”, is a system in which both the

mass
and
energy (heat and work) cross the boundary.

PROPERTIES OF A SYSTEM
Property - any quantity which serves to describe a system.
Intensive Property – one which does not depend on the mass of the system (ex.
temperature, pressure, density and velocity).
Extensive Property- one which depend on the mass of the system (ex. volume,
momentum and kinetic energy).

THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF SUBSTANCES:

Mass (m) – the quantity of matter possessed by the body or substance; it is a constant
quantity, that the mass of the substance can only be changed by adding more matter to it
or taking away from it.
Weight (W) – the force of gravity acting on the body.
Wmg where: W = weight
at standard gravity m = mass of the body
Ws  m  gs g = gravitational acceleration
at observed gravity Ws = standard weight of the body
Wo  m  go Wo = observed weight of the body
gs = standard gravity = 9.81 m/s2 = 32.2
ft/s2
go = observed gravitational acceleration

Force (F)
Newton’s Second Law of Motion: “The force acting on a body is proportional to the
product of the mass and its acceleration produced.”
Fma where: F = force applied
m = mass of the body
a = acceleration