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Engineering Thermodynamics/Print version

From Wikibooks, the open-content textbooks collection

Preface
The topic of thermodynamics is taught in Physics and Chemistry courses as part of the regular
curriculum. This book deals with Engineering Thermodynamics, where concepts of thermodynamics
are used to solve engineering problems. Engineers use thermodynamics to calculate the fuel
efficiency of engines, and to find ways to make more efficient systems, be they rockets, refineries, or
nuclear reactors. One aspect of "engineering" in the title is that a lot of the data used is empirical (e.g.
steam tables), since you won't find clean algebraic equations of state for many common working
substances. Thermodynamics is the science that deals with transfer of heat and work. Engineering
thermodynamics develops the theory and techniques required to use empirical thermodynamic data
effectively. However, with the advent of computers most of these techniques are transparent to the
engineer, and instead of looking data up in tables, computer applications can be queried to retrieve the
required values and use them in calculations. There are even applications which are tailored to
specific areas which will give answers for common design situations. But thorough understanding
will only come with knowledge of underlying principles, and the ability to judge the limitations of
empirical data is perhaps the most important gain from such knowledge.

This book is a work in progress. It is hoped that as it matures, it will be more up to date than the dead
tree editions.

Thermodynamics is the study of the relationships between HEAT (thermos) and WORK (dynamics).
Thus, it deals with energy interactions in physical systems. Classical thermodynamics can be stated in
four laws called the zeroth, first, second, and third laws respectively. The laws of thermodynamics are
empirical, i.e., they are deduced from experience, and supported by a large body of experimental
evidence.

The first chapter is an introduction to thermodynamics, and presents the motivation and scope of the
topic. The second chapter, Thermodynamic Systems, defines some basic terms which are used
throughout the book. In particular, the concepts of system and processes are discussed. The zeroth law
is stated and the concept of temperature is developed. The next chapter, First Law, develops ideas
required for the statement of the first law of thermodynamics. Second Law deals with heat engines
and the concept of entropy. Applications of the tools developed in the previous chapters are
illustrated, including the use of thermodynamics in everyday engineering situations. Appendix gives a
list of tables for some commonly used properties.

This course forms the foundation for the Heat Transfer course, where the rate and mechanisms of
transmission of energy in the form of heat is studied. The concepts will be used in further courses in
heat, Internal Combustion Engines, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, and Turbomachines to name
a few.

Introduction

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