First Law of

Thermodynamics
The first law of thermodynamics is nothing but law of conservation of
energy ie Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed but can
be converted from one form to other.
In other words, When a system undergoes a thermodynamic cycle
then the net heat supplied to the system from the surroundings is
equal to net work done by the system on its surroundings.
Equations:
For cyclic process, the sum of net heat supplied is equal to sum to net
work done.
dQ = dW
For non-cyclic processes, the sum of heat supplied is equal to sum of
work done and change in internal energy of the system.
Q= W+ dU
For steady flow systems,
q-u= d(U) + d(KE) + d(PE)
For various process:
1. As in constant volume process work done w is zero,
dQ = dU
We have, Q= m* Cv *dT
And thus we also get Cv = (dU/dT)
2. For constant pressure process, P=C
Work done W=p.dV= p(V2-V1) and Q-W= dU
So Q= p(V2-V1) + dU = H2-H1
Cp = (dh/dT)
3. For constant temperature process, T=C
As dU= f(T), dU=0
Hence, Q=W.
4. For adiabatic/isentropic process, Q=0
Thus, W=-dU
ie W=U1-U2
5. For Polytropic Process,
W = (P1V1-P2V2)/(n-1)
 Energy Capacity to do work
Total energy
Energy classifies as
1. Macroscopic energy 2.Microscopic energy
Microscopic energy related molecular structure of system and
degree of molecular activity
Sum of all microscopic forms of energy posses by system is
Internal energy
 By first law of thermodynamics for system undergoing process we
can write
d(Q) = d(E) + d(W)
d(E) = d(Q)-d(W)
If KE and PE are kept constant then change in total energy is called
as internal energy and denoted by U
According to joule law internal energy is function of temperature. U
is independent of pressure and volume of particular state of system
The processes L and M together constitute a
cycle, for which
dW = dQ
W(l) + W(m)= Q(l) + Q(m)
or Q(l) W(l) = W(m) Q(m) ...(1)
This can be written as
E(l)= E(m) ...(2)
Similarly, had the system returned
from state 2 to state 1 by following the
path N instead of path M
E(l) = E(n) ...(3)
From equations (2) and (3),
E(m) = E(n) ...(4.10)
 change in energy between two states of a system is the
same, whatever path the system may follow in undergoing
that change of state
energy has a definite value for every state of the system.
Hence, it is a point function and a property of the system

High grade energy called as exergy. ex.work

Low grade energy called as anergy. ex heat
 Steady Flow Energy Equation
For open system, considering mass m flowing at steady state,
i.e., remaining constant w.r.t. time,

System

By 1st Law of Thermodynamics:

 E = Internal Energy + Kinetic Energy + Potential
Energy + Flow Energy

Also, enthalpy h is defined as

 Applications of SFEE
Compressor

Compressor
For unit mass,

Taking the system to be adiabatic & no change in KE

or PE,
the equation becomes:
 Turbine
Similarly, for a turbine, we get

Turbine

Nozzle

Taking system to be adiabatic, = 0,

z1 = z2 , and fluid is at rest at inlet, Nozzle
 Diffuser
Similarly, for a diffuser,
Diffuser
Perpetual Motion Machine of First kind
PMM-I
The first law of thermodynamics states the general principle of the
conservation of energy. Energy is neither created nor destroyed, but
only gets transformed from one form to another.

What is PMM-I
A machine which would continuously supply mechanical work
without some form of energy disappearing simultaneously. Such a
fictitious machine is called a perpetual motion machine of the first
kind
Souce- Basic and applies Thermodynamics- P.K.NAG
 Fig.1 A PPM 1. Fig.2 The converse of PMM 1.

The converse of the above statement is also true, i.e., there can be no
machine which would continuously consume work without some other
form of energy appearing simultaneously (Fig.2).

Souce- Basic and applies Thermodynamics- P.K.NAG

Limitations of First Law of Thermodynamics

1. The first law places no restriction on the direction of a process

Fig.3 A cup of hot coffee does not get Fig.4 Transferring heat to a wire
hotter in a cooler room. will not generate electricity.

Source-THERMODYNAMICS: AN ENGINEERING APPROACH

Yunus A. Cengel & Michael A. Boles
 Fig.5 Transferring heat to a paddle wheel
will not cause it to rotate

It is clear from these arguments that processes proceed in a certain

direction and not in the reverse direction .
The first law places no restriction on the direction of a process, but
satisfying the first law does not ensure that the process can actually
occur
Source-THERMODYNAMICS: AN ENGINEERING APPROACH
Yunus A. Cengel & Michael A. Boles
2. Further the first law of thermodynamics establishes equivalence
between the quantity of heat used and the mechanical work but does not
specify the conditions under which conversion of heat into work is
possible.

3. It treats work and heat interactions as equal forms of energy in transit

and does not indicate the possibility of spontaneous process proceeding
in a certain direction

Source-THERMODYNAMICS: AN ENGINEERING APPROACH

Yunus A. Cengel & Michael A. Boles