The Four Laws of Thermodynamics
0th Law of Thermodynamics
If two systems are in thermodynamic equilibrium with a third system, the two original systems
are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
If system A is in thermal equilibrium with system C and system B is also in
thermal equilibrium with system C, system A and system B are in thermal equilibrium
with each other.
- Temperature
- Thermal equilibrium
1st Law of Thermodynamics
Energy can be converted from one form to another with the interaction of heat, work and
internal energy, but it cannot be created nor destroyed, under any circumstances.
- Internal energy
- Enthalpy
2nd Law of Thermodynamics
The state of entropy of the entire universe, as an isolated system, will always increase over
time. The second law also states that the changes in the entropy in the universe can never be
negative.
- Entropy always increase
3rd Law of Thermodynamics
The 3rd law of thermodynamics will allow us to quantify the absolute amplitude of entropies. It
says that when we are considering a totally perfect (100% pure) crystalline structure, at
absolute zero (0 Kelvin), it will have no entropy (S).
- Entropy = 0
Most commonly studied thermodynamic processes:
a) Heat does not lose or acquire energy in an adiabatic process.
b) At constant internal energy, a steady-state operation occurs.
c) At constant entropy, the isentropic process occurs.
d) At constant enthalpy, the isenthalpic process occurs.
e) At constant pressure, the isobaric process occurs.
f) At constant volume, the isochoric process occurs.
g) At constant temperature, the isothermal process occurs.
Absolute zero - the temperature at which a system undergoes a reversible isothermal
process without transfer of heat
The triple point occurs where the solid, liquid, and gas transition curves meet.
- the only condition in which all three phases can coexist, and is unique for every material.
- Water reaches its triple point at just above freezing (0.1° C) and at a pressure of 0.006
atm.
Adiabatic process - is a thermodynamic process which involves the transfer of energy
without transfer of heat or mass to the surrounding.
Ideal fluid is incompressible and non-viscous
Sample Questions
1. Heat does not spontaneously flow from a colder body to a hotter one. Which of the
following thermodynamics laws states this?
a) Zeroth law of thermodynamics
b) First law of thermodynamics
c) Second law of thermodynamics
d) Third law of thermodynamics
Answer: c
Explanation: The concept of entropy as a physical attribute of a thermodynamic
system is established by the second law of thermodynamics. Despite following
the necessity of energy conservation as specified in the first law of
thermodynamics, entropy predicts the direction of spontaneous processes and
determines whether they are irreversible or impossible.
The enthalpy and internal energy are the function of temperature for
a) all gases
b) steam
c) water
d) ideal gas
Answer: d
Explanation: The enthalpy of an ideal gas depends only on the temperature
because the internal energy of an ideal gas depends only on the temperature.
If a system undergoes a reversible isothermal process without transfer of heat, the
temperature at which this process takes place is called
a) triple point of water
b) boiling point of water
c) absolute zero
d) none of the mentioned
Answer: c
39. Which of the following properties describe entropy?
a) point function, intensive property
b) point function, extensive property
c) path function, extensive property
d) path function, intensive property
Answer: b
The entropy of an isolated system can never ____
a) decrease
b) be zero
c) increase
d) none of the mentioned
Answer: a
Explanation: The entropy of an isolated system always increases and
remains constant only when the process is reversible.
