Meaning of thermodynamics (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Thermodynamics:

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that studies the relationship between heat, applied force (also known as work), and energy transfer.

The word thermodynamic comes from the Greek roots θερμο- (thermo- ) which means 'heat', and δυναμικός (dynamikós) , which in turn derives from δύναμις (dýnamis) , which means 'force' or 'power'.

Thermodynamic processes are determined by three basic laws.

• The first law allows us to understand how energy is conserved. The second law is used to know the conditions necessary for the transfer of energy to occur. The third law serves to know the behavior of systems in equilibrium.

Understanding thermodynamic processes is important in areas such as industrial engineering where it is necessary to use large amounts of energy for the operation of multiple machines.

The laws of thermodynamics also allow us to understand how systems work in areas such as biochemistry, cosmology, and genetics.

Laws of thermodynamics

There are three laws in thermodynamics that explain how heat and energy work and are transmitted. Below, we explain them in detail.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The first law deals with the conservation of energy: energy is neither created nor destroyed, it is only transformed. For example:

1. Solar energy is transformed into electrical energy for a service station. That electrical energy can be used to charge the battery of the electric car. The electric car is capable of converting the accumulated energy into displacement.

Energy, therefore, is always in motion.

The simplified formula would be the following:

Second law of thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics allows us to determine two things:

• The direction in which the energy transfer occurs The conditions that are necessary for the process to reverse.

From here we learn that there are reversible and irreversible processes.

For example, table salt mixes with water spontaneously through a process called dilution. This process releases heat.

In order to reverse this process and form salt crystals again, heat must be applied, which allows the water to evaporate and separate it from the salt. The system absorbs heat.

The simplified formula would be the following: