THERMODYNAMICS

The word "thermodynamics" can be broken into 2 parts, namely "thermo" which means heat
and "dynamics" which suggests in constant equilibrium or not static. Apart from the heat change
that chemists are interested in, what other element or factor that they also study?
Work done. In the field of thermodynamics, chemists study the heat released or absorbed by a
system. They also study the work done by the system. One very interesting application of
thermodynamics is the manufacturing of artificial diamond. This can be done under the extreme
condition of very high temperature and pressure. However, the reaction rate is usually very slow
and therefore, catalyst is used to speed up the process. Work is the dot product of vector force
and vector length. Therefore, it is a scalar quantity.
A system is separated from its surroundings or universe by a boundary. In thermodynamics,
there are 3 types of systems. An isolated system does not allow any heat and matter transfer
between the system and its surroundings. On the other hand, for an open system, it allows both
heat and matter transfer. What is the name given to the system that allows heat transfer but
prevents matter transfer?
A closed system. Let's us look at an example. Let's say our system is a beaker with hot water in it
and its surroundings are the air surrounding the beaker. Therefore, the boundary is the wall of the
beaker. If the beaker is insulated with cotton and closed with a lid, we say the beaker is an
isolated system, since neither heat transfer nor matter transfer occurs. If the beaker is closed with
a lid but not insulated, it is a closed system because it allows heat transfer but not matter transfer.
Lastly, if the beaker is neither closed with a lid nor insulated, it is an open system, since the water
molecules can escape or evaporate into the air (its surroundings, hence matter transfer) and also
the heat is lost to the surroundings as time goes by (hence heat transfer).
Pressure, volume, internal energy, entropy and Gibb's free energy are all state functions
because their values are dependent only on the initial and final state of the system, regardless of
the route taken. On the contrary, non state functions are so-called because their values depend
on the route taken. What are the two examples of non-state functions?
Work and heat. Both enthalpy and temperature are state functions. In thermodynamics, work is
denoted by "w", while heat is denoted by "q".
There are two types of thermodynamics variables, namely intensive and extensive. Intensive
variables are those that are independent of the amount of substance present in a system. For
example, pressure and temperature. Meanwhile, extensive variables are those that are dependent
on the amount of substance in the system. For instance, volume and mass. Is density an
intensive variable or an extensive variable?
Intensive. Density = mass / volume. While both mass and volume are extensive variables, their
ratio, namely the density is an intensive variable. The value of density remains constant no matter
what amount of substance you consider. Hence, the density of a substance is independent of the
size of the system. Therefore, we conclude that density is an intensive variable.
In thermodynamics, an isobaric process refers to a process that is carried out under constant
pressure. Moreover, the terms isochoric and isothermal refer to constant volume and constant
temperature respectively. What is the terminology used to describe a process that is carried out
without any transfer of heat?
Adiabatic. For an adiabatic process, there is no transfer of heat. Adiabatic process can be further
classified into reversible and irreversible.

When heat is absorbed by a system from its surroundings, the value of heat, q, is a positive
value.
T. If heat is absorbed by a system from its surroundings, it refers to an endothermic process.
Since heat is absorbed by the system, the value of q would be a positive value. On the other
hand, if heat is lost to the surroundings, the value of q would be a negative value. In this case, it
is an exothermic process.
The total energy of a system, E consists of 3 types of energy. Which of the following is NOT
one of them?
Resting energy, R. There is no such thing as resting energy; I just made that one up. The
molecular rotational, translational, vibrational and electronic energies constitute the internal
energy, U of a system.
Consider 3 systems, X, Y and Z. Given that X and Z are in thermal equilibrium. Y and Z also in
thermal equilibrium. Then, X and Y will also be in thermal equilibrium. This is known as the
zeroth law of thermodynamics.
T. There are all together 4 basic laws of thermodynamics. The zeroth law interrelates the thermal
equilibrium between 3 systems. The first law is concerned with the law of conservation of energy.
The second law deals with the direction of reaction and determines whether a reaction or process
can occur by itself. The third law is very useful to calculate the equilibrium constants for a specific
reaction by using calorimetric measurements.
The First Law of Thermodynamics can be expressed mathematically by the equation delta U =
q + w, where delta means change, U is internal energy, q is heat and w is work. What is the
alternative name for this law?
The law of conservation of energy. We use delta U since we are comparing the values of the
internal energy before and after a reaction or process. The law of conservation of energy states
that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, but it can transform from one form into another.
Thermodynamics is a wide branch of discipline. Which branch of thermodynamics studies the
changes of enthalpy of a reaction?
Thermochemistry. The change of enthalpy, delta H is a very useful quantity. It gives rise to the
study of thermochemistry. The enthalpy change of a reaction can be determined by 2 methods,
namely the direct calorimetry (an experiment is conducted in a calorimeter and the heat change is
measured) or by using the Hess's Law (treating each chemical equation as mathematical
equation, then by doing some algebraic manipulations, we arrive at the chemical reaction or
equation that we desire).