Thermodynamics

Thermodynamicsis the branch of science primarily dealing with the study of the combined effects of heat and work with changes in state. These changes and effects follow certain laws, the laws of thermodynamics.

Internal Energy :

It is the energy that a system stores within itself. This energy stands for the total energy of the system. It could include any form of energy: kinetic energy or potential energy, etc. We know about the energy transformations. We are aware that we can transfer energy and not create or destroy it.

Work :

According to thermodynamics, work done by a system is the total quantity of energy that the system and its surroundings exchange within themselves. The external factors in the surroundings govern the amount of work done. These factors could be an external force, changes in the temperature or pressure or volume, etc.

Heat : 

Thermodynamics define heat as the energy in transit. It is the energy that kinetic energy of the molecules of the substance possessed. Heat and the thermodynamics play an important role in helping process designers and engineers optimize their processes.

It also helps them to harness the energy associated with chemical reactions economically. Heat flows from higher temperature to lower temperature. This particular concept helps scientists to design various heat engines.

Open System :

These are the systems where the exchange of matter, as well as energy, both take place. An example of this would be the case when we boil water on a stove. The container acts as an open system as it receives heat energy from outside and the matter comes out as water vapours.

Closed System :

Closed systems refer to those where only energy is exchanged with the surrounding and not the matter. When we keep a closed bottle of water in the fridge, the quantity of water in the bottle remains the same. However, it loses energy to the surrounding as a result of which the temperature of the water inside it goes down.

There is another type of system, the isolated system. Here, neither energy nor matter can be exchanged between the system and the surrounding. An example of such a system would be thermos flask.