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First Law of Thermodynamics definitions

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Terms in this set (15)

  • First Law of Thermodynamics
    States that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or transformed.
  • Energy Conservation
    The principle that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant.
  • Open System
    A system where both matter and energy can be exchanged with the surroundings.
  • Isolated System
    A system where neither matter nor energy is exchanged with the surroundings.
  • Closed System
    A system where only energy is exchanged with the surroundings, not matter.
  • Internal Energy
    The total energy contained within a system, represented by delta U or delta E.
  • Heat
    Energy transferred between systems or surroundings due to temperature difference, symbolized by q.
  • Work
    Energy transfer that occurs when a force is applied over a distance, represented by W.
  • Enthalpy
    A measure of heat content in a system at constant pressure, represented by delta H.
  • Surroundings
    Everything outside the system that can interact with it, exchanging energy or matter.
  • Chemical Reaction
    A process where substances interact to form new substances, often involving energy changes.
  • Thermal Energy
    The energy that comes from the temperature of matter, related to the motion of particles.
  • Pressure
    The force exerted per unit area within a system, affecting work and energy transfer.
  • Volume
    The amount of space occupied by a system, influencing work when it changes.
  • Piston
    A component that can move within a cylinder to compress or expand gases, affecting work.