Thermodynamics and engines key terms

First Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Internal Energy

The total energy contained within a system, including kinetic and potential energy of particles.

heat supplied

The energy transferred into a system from its surroundings, typically measured in joules, which increases the internal energy of the system.

work done

The energy transferred when a force is applied to move an object over a distance, also measured in joules, which can change the internal energy of a system.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Sign Conventions

Agreed-upon rules for assigning positive or negative values to quantities such as work and heat in thermodynamic processes.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Energy Transfer

The process of energy moving from one system or object to another, often involving work done or heat exchange.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Non-flow Process

A thermodynamic process in which there is no mass transfer into or out of the system, and energy is transferred as heat or work.

First Law of Thermodynamics

The principle stating that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

Isothermal Process

A thermodynamic process that occurs at a constant temperature, where the internal energy change is zero.

Isothermal Process

A thermodynamic process in which the temperature remains constant while heat is added or removed.

Adiabatic Process

A thermodynamic process in which no heat is transferred to or from the system, resulting in changes in temperature due to work done on or by the system.

p-V diagram

A graphical representation of the pressure-volume relationship of a gas during thermodynamic processes, illustrating changes in state.

work done

The energy transferred when a force is applied over a distance, calculated as the product of force and displacement in the direction of the force.

p-V diagram

A graphical representation of the pressure-volume relationship of a gas during thermodynamic processes.

work done

The energy transferred when a force is applied over a distance, calculated as the area under a p-V graph.

work done

The energy transferred when a force is applied over a distance, calculated using the formula W = F x s, where W is work done (J), F is force (N), and s is distance (m).

p-V diagram

A graphical representation of the pressure (p) versus volume (V) for a thermodynamic system, used to analyze work done during gas processes.

p-V diagram

A graphical representation of the pressure-volume relationship of a gas during thermodynamic processes.

net work output

The total work done by a heat engine during a complete cycle, calculated from the area enclosed by the p-V diagram.

Expansion Work

The work done by a gas when it expands against an external pressure, resulting in an increase in volume.

Compression Work

The work done on a gas when it is compressed by an external pressure, resulting in a decrease in volume.

heat engine cycle

A thermodynamic cycle that converts heat energy into work, typically represented on a p-V diagram.

p-V diagram

A graphical representation of the pressure-volume relationship of a gas during a thermodynamic process.

efficiency

efficiency means The ratio of useful work output to total energy input, expressed as a percentage. In Engine cycles, use this term to connect Calculate efficiency from energy input and useful work output. to forces, energy transfer, moments, pressure, power or system performance.

work output

work output means The useful energy produced by a system, typically measured in joules. In Engine cycles, use this term to connect Calculate efficiency from energy input and useful work output. to forces, energy transfer, moments, pressure, power or system performance.

energy losses

The energy that is not converted into useful work in a real engine, often dissipated as heat.

real engines

Engines that operate under practical conditions and experience inefficiencies due to factors like friction and heat loss.