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1: Thermodynamics

  • Page ID
    540228
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    • 1.1: Review and Setting the Stage
      Using the mathematical properties of state functions we can extend our ability to use thermodynamics combined with physical measurements to make quantitative predictions about the behavior of real systems. This section reviews and defines the mathematics of total differentials and what it means for a total differential to be exact. Then we go on to review the fundamental differentials of thermodynamics and some important thermodynamic partial derivatives.
    • 1.2: Additional Measurable Quantities
      In addition to the measurable sample specific quantities \(C_V\) and \(C_P\) there are a few other useful sample specific thermodynamic quantities that can be measured, tabulated and fit to functional forms for calculating properties of real samples. These are discussed below. What you should notice is that just like the heat capacities these are intensive properties and defined in terms of a derivative (change).
    • 1.3: Understanding Real Gases Using Measurable Quantities
      Combining thermodynamics with measurable quantities allows us to predict the the thermodynamic behavior of real substances not just ideal ones. This significantly extends the usefulness of thermodynamics. In this section we will consider some examples of how real gases behave differently than ideal gases.
    • 1.4: Joule-Thompson Coefficient
      A useful derivative for understanding cooling or heating of gases when they expand is the Joule-Thomson coefficient (\(\mu_{JT}\)). This derivative describes how the temperature of a gas changes when it expands against a constant pressure. It is an important quantity in understanding refrigeration and the condensation of gases.
    • 1.5: Heat Engines
      There is a limitation on converting heat to work. In this section we will begin by considering the theoretical Carnot cycle which uses only reversible processes. From past analyses we know that reversible processes yield the maximum work possible from a gas expansion. Thus, the efficiency of the Carnot cycle is the upper limit to the efficiency of conversion of heat into work.
    • 1.6: Multicomponent Phase Diagrams
      Multicomponent phase diagrams are more complex than phase diagrams of pure substances. Multicomponent phase diagrams are useful for understanding how distillation works and the behavior of mixtures. We will start with quantifying the number of possible phases that can coexist under particular constraints in a system and then discuss phase separation and distillation.


    This page titled 1: Thermodynamics is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jonathan Gutow.

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