Thermodynamics Laws Lecture Notes

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

• Concept: Heat will flow until thermal equilibrium is achieved.
• Example: Two objects in thermal contact will eventually have the same temperature.
• Mentioned Student: To Brooke: Example of peer assistance.

First Law of Thermodynamics

• Principle: Energy is conserved (You can't win).
• Explanation: No thermodynamic cycle can produce more work than the energy put into it.
• Real-life Example: Letters/emails from individuals claiming to have found a way to create energy, which violates the First Law.
• Mentioned Student: To Kimberly: Interaction regarding the law.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

• Gambler's Terms: You can't even break even.
• Explanation: All processes lose energy in some form.
• Mentioned Student: Interaction with Ryan to introduce the second law.

Two Versions of the Second Law

1. Heat Transfer Direction:

   • Heat transfers spontaneously from higher to lower temperature bodies, never the reverse.
   • Example: Ice cubes in warm iced tea never make the tea warmer while forming more ice.

2. Heat to Work Conversion:

   • Impossible for heat transfer from a reservoir to completely convert to work in a cyclical process where the system returns to its initial state.
   • Mentioned Student: Bailey

Applications

• Heat Engine: Example: Car engine.
• Heat Pump: Example: Refrigerator, Air conditioning unit, Heat pumps for heating houses.
• Concept: Energy is required to move energy (no free transfer).

Administrative Notes

• Moodle Updates: Robin to check Moodle for corrections to formulas and worked-out examples.
• Correction: Correct formula is PV^γ (Gamma), not PV^(γ - 1).
• Action: Update notes/formula sheets accordingly.
• Class Interaction: Emma confirms she will check Moodle regularly.

Key Takeaways

• Zeroth Law: Equilibrium temperature between thermal contact objects.
• First Law: Conservation of energy, no free energy creation.
• Second Law: Energy transfer costs energy; no process is 100% efficient.