Thermodynamics & its Application

Thermodynamics is the science of the relationship between heat, work and the properties of substances. Heat and work are intimately connected through energy, and hence Thermodynamics is defined as the study of energy. Energy is essential and vital component of our life, hence knowledge of Thermodynamics is essential for all of us. In addition, engineers and those aspiring to be engineers, need to master the fundamental as well as applications of Thermodynamics, in order to be able to effectively practice the engineering profession. The Laws of Thermodynamics represent the summary and essence of our experience with nature. While the Zeroth Law provides the basis of measurement of Temperature, the First and Second Laws serve to define the two properties, Energy and Entropy, and deal with the conservation and degradation of energy.The First Law of Thermodynamics is one of the most important physical law with several significant engineering applications. The First Law of Thermodynamics states that a certain energy balance will hold when a system undergoes a change of state or a thermodynamic process. This law is alternatively termed as Law of Conversation of Energy. But it does not give any information on whether that change of state or the process is feasible at all or not. It is the Second Law of Thermodynamics which provides the criterion for the probability of occurring of various processes.Course Credit: 4