NOTES NO.

LESSON 1. THERMODYNAMICS defined…

Thermodynamics is the field of Physics that deals with the relationship between heat and other
properties such as pressure, density, temperature, etc. in a substance.
Some Physicists define thermodynamics as a branch of Physics that deals with heat and its
transformation into mechanical energy. Others specifically define thermodynamics as the study
of heat in relation to temperature, work and energy.
In summary, thermodynamics focuses on mechanical work, pressure, temperature and their
roles in the transformation of energy.
Coming from the Greek words, thermos, meaning heat and dynamikos, meaning power or the
term which means “movement of heat”; thermodynamics deals with systems at the
macroscopic level. It is based on the concept of conservation od energy and the fact that heat
flows from hot to cold, and not the other way around” (Hewitt, 1992).
Thermodynamics under two main topics – the relationship between heat and temperature and
the different physical laws that govern heat transfer.
Specifically, thermodynamics focuses largely on how a heat transfer is related to various energy
changes within a physical system undergoing a thermodynamic process. Such processes usually
result in work being done by the system and are guided by the laws of thermodynamics :
Zeroeth Law of Thermodynamics – “Two systems each in thermal equilibrium with a third
system are in thermal equilibrium to each other”.
First Law of Thermodynamics – “ The change in the energy of the system is the amount of
energy added to the system minus the energy spent in doing work”.
Second Law of Thermodynamics –“It is possible for a process to have as its sole result the
transfer of heat from a cooler body to a hotter one”.
Third Law of Thermodynamics – “ It is impossible to reduce any system to absolute zero in a
finite series of operations. This means that a perfectly efficient heat engine cannot be created”.
LESSON 2. TEMPERATURE AND THERMAL EXPANSION
Temperature is defined as a measure of the average translational kinetic energy of the
molecules. It is a property that determines the direction of heat transfer, which does not
depend on the size of the body while heat content of the body depends on its size.
Temperature is measured with the use of a thermometer.
Heat is internal energy in transit from one body of matter to another by virtue of a temperature
difference between them. If a body of matter does not change state during the addition or
removal of heat and neither does work nor has work done on it, the change in its internal
energy results in a corresponding change in temperature. Heat content of a body depends on
its size. The SI unit of heat is Joule. Another unit of heat in common use is calorie (cal) which is
defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1g of water by 1 oC of
kilocalorie (kcal) which is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1
kg of water by 1oC. The British Thermal unit (BTU) is the amount of heat required to change the
temperature of 1 lb of water by 1oF.
Temperature Scales
Commonly used scales in measuring temperature:
1. Celsius scale (Centigrade) – after the Swedish astronomer Celsius; is the temperature scale
used for
scientific work in almost all countries. Boiling point of water at this scale is 100 oC and
freezing point is 0oC.
2. Fahrenheit scale – is used in the US. Boiling point of water at this scale is 212oF and freezing
point is 32oF
3. Kelvin scale – named after Lord Kelvin; an absolute scale used in scientific work and in
thermodynamics.
4. Rankine scale – an absolute scale commonly used in mechanical engineering.

Temperatures on the two scales can be converted to one another by using the following
equations:

oC−O 100−O
=
oF−32 212−32

T (in oF) = 1.8(oC) + 32 K = oC + 273

T (in oC) = (oF – 32) R = oF + 460

1.8
Sample Problems No.1 Assignment No. 1
1. A salt solution freezes at 14oC. What is its freezing point in Kelvin?
2. Suppose we have a temperature of 20oC. What temperature does this correspond to on
the Fahrenheit scale?
3. The temperature of a hot summer day is 95oF. What is this temperature in oC?
4. Nitrogen freezes at -210oC. What is this temperature at oF?
5. The highest possible atmospheric temperature ever recorded on earth was 57.8 oC. How
will you express this temperature in oF and Kelvin?