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Thermodynamics studies heat, work, and temperature and their connections to energy and entropy, governed by four universal laws.
Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that studies heat, work, and temperature and how these quantities relate to energy, entropy, and the physical properties of matter and radiation. Its behavior is governed by the four laws of thermodynamics, which provide quantitative descriptions using measurable macroscopic variables, while statistical mechanics can explain these behaviors in terms of microscopic constituents. Thermodynamics applies broadly across science and engineering, including physical chemistry, biochemistry, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, and fields such as meteorology. The scope of thermodynamics includes analyzing how thermodynamic systems respond to changes in their surroundings, using concepts such as the thermodynamic system and its surroundings, equations of state, internal energy, thermodynamic potentials, and equilibrium/spontaneous processes. Classical thermodynamics focuses mainly on systems near thermodynamic equilibrium, while non-equilibrium thermodynamics extends the framework to systems not in equilibrium. Related branches include statistical thermodynamics (statistical mechanics), chemical thermodynamics (spontaneity and entropy in chemical reactions), and equilibrium thermodynamics (transfers of matter and energy between equilibrium states).
Thermodynamics studies heat, work, and temperature and their connections to energy and entropy, governed by four universal laws.
Its scope covers macroscopic analysis of thermodynamic systems (system vs. surroundings), equilibrium and spontaneous processes, and energy/entropy behavior under changing conditions.
Thermodynamics is extended through branches such as classical (near-equilibrium), non-equilibrium, statistical (microscopic interpretation), and chemical thermodynamics (reaction spontaneity).
A precisely defined region of the universe under study, with everything else treated as the surroundings.
A thermodynamic quantity that determines the direction of evolution of a system and quantifies the state of order, also limiting useful work extractable from the system.
A state in which macroscopic flows are zero and intensive properties are balanced so there are no unbalanced driving forces between parts of the system.
The study of thermodynamic systems near equilibrium using macroscopic, measurable properties and the laws of thermodynamics.
The study of systems that are not in thermodynamic equilibrium, requiring more general concepts than equilibrium thermodynamics.
A framework that explains thermodynamic behavior by linking macroscopic properties to microscopic particle or quantum-state behavior.
The study of how energy and entropy relate to chemical reactions and physical changes of state, especially to determine spontaneity.
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