ME 237

Thermodynamics I
03.10.2023
Temperature Scales
Example
 PRESSURE
• Pressure is defined as a normal force exerted by a fluid per unit area.
 PRESSURE

• Absolute pressure: The actual pressure at a given position

• Gage pressure: The difference between the absolute pressure and the local atmospheric pressure
Example
 Variation of Pressure with Depth
The pressure of a fluid at rest increases with depth, as a result of added weight.
Let’s show the variation of pressure with depth

Force balance in the vertical z-

direction

Remember

Remember
Variation of Pressure with Depth
 Pressure Measurement Devices
• The Barometer: Atmospheric • The Manometer : A general
pressure measurement device pressure measurement device
 Problem
Statement
Problem Solving Approach
Schematic

Properties

Assumptions and
Approximations

Physical Laws

A step-by-step approach can greatly Calculations

simplify problem solving.
Reasoning,
Verification

Mathematical modeling of physical problems.

 Example
Q1)Why does a bicyclist pick up speed on a downhill road even when
he is not pedaling? Does this violate the conservation of energy
principle.
• Ans: PE is converted to KE. No, it does not.
Q2) An office worker claims that a cup of cold coffee on his table
warmed up to 80°C by picking up energy from the surrounding air,
which is at 25°C. Is there any truth to his claim? Does this process
violate any thermodynamic laws?
• Ans: It is not possible. It violates the second law of thermodynamics.
Example
 Example
• Q4) A 4-kW resistance heater in a water heater runs for 3 hours to raise
the water temperature to the desired level. Determine the amount of
electric energy used in both kWh and kJ.
 Example
• A can of soft drink at room temperature is put into the refrigerator so that
it will cool. Would you model the can of soft drink as a closed system or as
an open system? Explain.
• Ans: A can of soft drink should be analyzed as a closed system since no mass is crossing the boundaries of the
system.

• What is a quasi-equilibrium process? What is its importance in

engineering?
• Ans: A process during which a system remains almost in equilibrium at all times is called a quasi-equilibrium
process.
• Many engineering processes can be approximated as being quasi-equilibrium. The work output of a device is
maximum and the work input to a device is minimum when quasi-equilibrium processes are used instead of
nonquasi-equilibrium processes.