Equilibrium Thermodynamics: Overview, Questions, Preparation

Thermodynamics is an important branch of physics, and it deals with the interactions of heat and energy from one form to another. It is the relationship between heat and energy and work. In simpler words, we can define thermodynamics as the study of combined consequences of the work and heat changes from one form to another.

There are four major branches of thermodynamics which are listed and explained below:

1. Classical Thermodynamics: Classical thermodynamics is a procedure to measure the behaviour of matter with the macroscopic method. Classical thermodynamics include temperature and pressure units to analyse other properties of matter.
2. Statistical Thermodynamics: In this type of thermodynamics, every molecule is taken into account to determine the properties and behavioural patterns of the molecules.
3. Chemical Thermodynamics: This branch of physics deals with the study of work and heat and how they are related to each other with the help of chemical reactions and by changing the state of matter.
4. Equilibrium Thermodynamics: Equilibrium thermodynamics deals with the concepts of energy and matter when they reach their equilibrium point.

Equilibrium thermodynamics is defined as the relation between the transformations of matter and the energy in systems. It is derived from the concept of the Carnot cycle. Equilibrium states the balancing state of a material, object, or any particle. It is described when all the forces are in the same balance within the system.

 The examples of equilibrium thermodynamics include the gas in a cylinder. It will be at equilibrium if it is at a uniform force and does not change with temperature or pressure change.

The applications of equilibrium thermodynamics are as follows:

1. Entropy damage – the entropy damage is used when the energy between the system and the environment is exchanged in its state variables.
2. Vibration
3. Temperature
4. Noise analysis is used to observe the subtle system-level entropy damages.
5. Thermodynamic potentials

There are three laws of thermodynamics which are categorised below:

1. The first law of thermodynamics states that the energy in the universe is constant.
2. The second law of thermodynamics states that in any voluntary process, the entropy of the universe will increase.
3. The last law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a well-structured crystal is zero at 0 kelvin.

The chapter 'Thermodynamics' holds a weightage of 8 marks as per the new CBSE pattern 2021. It includes 3 questions, consisting of one objective type question of 1 mark, one very short question of 2 marks, and one long question of 5 marks.

Example 1: State the first law of thermodynamics.

Answer: The first law of thermodynamics states that the energy in the universe is constant.

Example 2: Write an example of equilibrium thermodynamics.

Answer: gas in the cylinder with constant pressure and temperature is considered as an example of equilibrium thermodynamics.

Example 3: Write the types of thermodynamic equilibrium.

Answer: The types of thermodynamic equilibrium are as follows:

1. Chemical equilibrium
2. Mechanical equilibrium

     3. Thermal equilibrium