Thermodynamics Study Guide

Assignments:

For the test over thermodynamics you should know:

• The meaning of the terms:
  • thermodynamics
  • internal energy
  • adiabatic process
  • isothermal process
  • entropy
• The characteristics of an adiabatic expansion or compression of a gas
• The characteristics of an isothermal expansion or compression of a gas
• The relative entropy of the three common states of matter
• What controls the direction of heat flow
• How a heat pump works
• The cycle of an ideal heat engine with a diagram
• What process creates the thrust in a jet or rocket
• Who proved the relationship between heat and mechanical energy
• The difference between internal and external combustion engines and an example of each
• The first law of thermodynamics in words and equation; what other law of physics it is related to
• The second law of thermodynamics; how it relates to heat engines, heat transfer, entropy, absolute zero
• How the ideal efficiency of a heat engine is calculated
• How entropy is related to useful work, time, phase changes