Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Elements of probability and combinatorial theory
- 3 Phase spaces, from classical to quantum mechanics, and back
- 4 Ensemble theory
- 5 Canonical ensemble
- 6 Fluctuations and other ensembles
- 7 Molecules
- 8 Non-ideal gases
- 9 Liquids and crystals
- 10 Beyond pure, single-component systems
- 11 Polymers – Brownian dynamics
- 12 Non-equilibrium thermodynamics
- 13 Stochastic processes
- 14 Molecular simulations
- 15 Monte Carlo simulations
- 16 Molecular dynamics simulations
- 17 Properties of matter from simulation results
- 18 Stochastic simulations of chemical reaction kinetics
- Appendices
- A Physical constants and conversion factors
- B Elements of classical thermodynamics
- Index
B - Elements of classical thermodynamics
from Appendices
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2011
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Acknowledgments
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Elements of probability and combinatorial theory
- 3 Phase spaces, from classical to quantum mechanics, and back
- 4 Ensemble theory
- 5 Canonical ensemble
- 6 Fluctuations and other ensembles
- 7 Molecules
- 8 Non-ideal gases
- 9 Liquids and crystals
- 10 Beyond pure, single-component systems
- 11 Polymers – Brownian dynamics
- 12 Non-equilibrium thermodynamics
- 13 Stochastic processes
- 14 Molecular simulations
- 15 Monte Carlo simulations
- 16 Molecular dynamics simulations
- 17 Properties of matter from simulation results
- 18 Stochastic simulations of chemical reaction kinetics
- Appendices
- A Physical constants and conversion factors
- B Elements of classical thermodynamics
- Index
Summary
Systems, properties, and states in thermodynamics
A system is the part of the universe we are interested in. The rest of the universe is called surroundings. The system volume, V, is well defined and the system boundary is clearly identified with a surface.
Systems are described by their mass M and energy E. Instead of using mass M, a system may be defined by the number of moles, N/NA, where N is the number of molecules and NA is Avogadro's number.
There are three kinds of system in thermodynamics:
Isolated systems. In these systems, there is no mass or energy exchange with the surroundings.
Closed systems. In these systems, there is no mass exchange with the surroundings. Energy can flow between the system and the surroundings as heat, Q, or work, W. Heat is the transfer of energy as a result of a temperature difference. Work is the transfer of energy by any other mechanism.
Open systems. In these systems, mass and energy may be exchanged with the surroundings.
A thermodynamic state is a macroscopic condition of a system prescribed by specific values of thermodynamic properties.
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- Chapter
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- Statistical Thermodynamics and Stochastic KineticsAn Introduction for Engineers, pp. 309 - 311Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2011