Thermodynamics is a branch of physics.
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that focuses on the study of the links between heat and other varieties of energy . It analyzes, therefore, the effects that changes in temperature, pressure, density, mass and volume have at a macroscopic level in each system.
Before delving into the meaning of the word that concerns us now, it is important to highlight that its etymological origin is found in Latin. More specifically, we can highlight the fact that it is made up of the union of three clearly differentiated parts: the word thermos, which is defined as "hot" ; the noun dynamos which is equivalent to "strength" or "power" ; and the suffix -ico which can be determined to mean "relating to" .
Basic concepts of thermodynamics
It is important to emphasize that there are a series of basic concepts that are essential to know before understanding what the thermodynamics process is like. In this sense, one of them is what is called the state of equilibrium , which can be defined as that dynamic process that takes place in a system when both the volume, temperature and pressure do not change.
In the same way there is what is known as the internal energy of the system . This is understood as the sum of the energies of each and every one of the particles that make up it. In this case, it is important to emphasize that these energies only depend on the temperature.
The third concept that is essential for us to know is the equation of state . A terminology that expresses the relationship that exists between pressure, temperature and volume.
Thermodynamics examines the relationship between heat and other forms of energy.
The laws
The basis of thermodynamics is everything that is related to the passage of energy, a phenomenon capable of causing movement in various bodies . The first law of thermodynamics , which is known as the principle of conservation of energy, states that, if one system exchanges heat with another, its own internal energy will be transformed. Heat, in this sense, constitutes the energy that a system has to exchange if it needs to compensate for the contrasts that arise when comparing effort and internal energy.
The second law of thermodynamics imposes different restrictions on energy transfers that could hypothetically be carried out if the first law is taken into account. The second principle serves as a regulator of the direction in which thermodynamic processes are carried out and imposes the impossibility of them developing in the opposite direction. It should be noted that this second law is supported by entropy , a physical quantity responsible for measuring the amount of energy that is useless to generate work.
The third law contemplated by thermodynamics , finally, highlights that it is not possible to achieve a thermal mark that reaches absolute zero through a finite number of physical procedures.
Among the thermodynamic processes, the isothermal ones (the temperature does not change), the isochorous ones (the volume does not change), the isobaric ones (the pressure does not change) and the adiabatic ones (there is no heat transfer ) stand out.