Abstract
In this chapter, the fundamentals of equilibrium thermodynamics are briefly examined. The basic terminology is followed by the discussion of the thermodynamic concepts of temperature, internal energy, entropy, absolute entropy, and enthalpy. Finally, the four laws of thermodynamics are explained in detail.
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Notes
- 1.
Here, energy generally refers to heat energy.
- 2.
See Sect. 2.2.2 for explanation.
- 3.
This is different from thermal equilibrium which is a state achieved by two (or more) systems which have been in communication with each other through a diathermic wall (a rigid wall which allows the transmission of heat only).
- 4.
Terms like variables or parameters or coordinates can also be used.
- 5.
The value of internal energy is dependent only on the present state of the system and not on the path taken or the processes undergone to prepare it. Hence, it is considered as a state function of a system.
- 6.
A quasistatic process occurs so slowly that the system can always be assumed to be arbitrarily close to equilibrium. A reversible thermodynamic process should be necessarily quasistatic.
- 7.
In thermodynamics, d indicates a proper differential which is dependent only on the change of state, whereas \(\delta \) indicates an improper differential which is also dependent on the process used to change the state.
- 8.
We shall use the notation \(\bar{H}\) instead of the standard notation H for enthalpy so that it does not get mistaken for the Hubble parameter H.
- 9.
A spontaneous process is one which can occur in an isolated system, or between interacting systems at a finite rate without effects on, or help from, or interaction with, any other part of the Universe.
- 10.
In physical terms, entropy can be interpreted as the minimum number of bits needed to specify completely the state of a physical system.
- 11.
An isothermal process is one which occurs at a constant temperature.
References
Callen, H.B. 1960. Thermodynamics. New York: Wiley.
Kelly, J.J. Review of thermodynamics (Lecture notes). http://www.physics.umd.edu/courses/Phys603/kelly/Notes/ReviewThermodynamics.pdf.
Sussman, M.V. 1972. Elementary general thermodynamics. Reading: Addison-Wesley.
Zemansky, M.W., and R.H. Dittman. 1997. Heat and thermodynamics — An intermediate textbook. New York: The McGraw Hill Companies.
Suggested Further Reading
Thermodynamics: Kelly, J.J. Review of thermodynamics (Lecture notes), http://www.physics.umd.edu/courses/Phys603/kelly/Notes/ReviewThermodynamics.pdf; Sussman, M.V. 1972. Elementary general thermodynamics. Addison-Wesley; Zemansky, M.W., and R.H. Dittman. 1997. Heat and thermodynamics — An intermediate textbook. The McGraw Hill Companies; Callen, H.B. 1960. Thermodynamics. Wiley.
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Saha, S. (2018). A Brief Overview of Equilibrium Thermodynamics. In: Elements of Cosmological Thermodynamics. SpringerBriefs in Physics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-74706-4_2
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