Week 1

Lecture 1

Basic Concepts
Part 1
Dr. Bahman Nasiri Tabrizi
[email protected]
 Objectives
1. Identify the unique vocabulary associated with
thermodynamics.

2. Review the metric SI unit system and explain the

importance of dimensions and units.

3. Review some fundamental concepts: Force, Weight,

Density, Specific gravity, Temperature, & Pressure.

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 Objectives
4. Explain the basic concepts of thermodynamics
such as system, state, state postulate,
equilibrium, process, and cycle.

5. Introduce an intuitive systematic problem-solving

technique.

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1.
THERMODYNAMICS &
ENERGY

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 1. THERMODYNAMICS & ENERGY
Thermodynamics:
• Defined as the science of energy-ability to cause changes.
• Concerned with heat and temperature and their relation to energy
and work

Most fundamental laws of nature

Conservation of energy principle:

ENERGY CANNOT BE MADE (CREATED) OR
DESTROYED, BUT IT CAN CHANGE
FROM ONE FORM TO ANOTHER

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A rock falling off a cliff
It picks up speed as a result
of its potential energy being
converted to kinetic energy.

Conservation of energy
principle for the human
body.
A person who has a greater
energy input (food) than
energy output (exercise) will
gain weight (store energy in 6
the form of fat)
 FIRST LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

Expression of the conservation of energy principle,

adapted for thermodynamic system.

SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

Energy has quality and quantity. The actual processes

occur in the direction of decreasing quality of energy
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 1. THERMODYNAMICS & ENERGY

Heat flows in the

direction of decreasing
temperature.
A cup of hot coffee
eventually cools but a cup
of cool coffee never gets
hot again.

• The high temperature

energy is degraded once it
transferred to surrounding
air.
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2.
Application Areas
Of Thermodynamics

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 2. Application Areas
Of Thermodynamics
All activities in nature involve some interaction between energy and matter
The Human Body:
• Heart is constantly pumping
blood to all parts of the human
body, various energy conversions
occur in body cells
• Body heat is generated and
rejected to the environment
• The human comfort is closely tied
to the rate of the heat rejection, so
we try to control this heat transfer
rate- adjusting clothing to the
environmental conditions.
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2. Application Areas
Of Thermodynamics
An ordinary house:
- Heating and air-conditioning
systems,
- The refrigerator,
- The pressure cooker,
- The water heater,
- The shower,
-The iron, the computer, the
TV,
- The walls, …… etc. 11
2. Application Areas
Of Thermodynamics

Automotive engines,
rockets, jet engine, solar
collector, etc.
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2.1. Applications in this module

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3.
IMPORTANCE OF
DIMENSIONS AND UNITS

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 3. IMPORTANCE OF DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
Any physical quantity can be characterized by dimensions.
The magnitudes assigned to the dimensions are called units.

Dimensions

Primary or fundamental Secondary or derived

▪ Mass, M ▪ Velocity, V
▪ Length, L ▪ Energy, E
▪ Time, T ▪ Volume, V
▪ Temperature, θ ▪ Momentum

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 3. IMPORTANCE OF DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
Two sets of units are still in common use today;

1. Metric SI: A simple and logical system based

system on a decimal relationship between
the various units.
2. English: It has no apparent systematic
system numerical base, and various units
in this system are related to each
other rather arbitrarily. (12 in = 1 ft (foot),
1 mile = 5280 ft)
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 17

Reference: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
3. IMPORTANCE OF DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
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Reference: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
3. IMPORTANCE OF DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
 3. IMPORTANCE OF DIMENSIONS AND UNITS

Reference: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
1 2

1 Meter-kilogram-second (MKS) system 19

2 Centimetre–gram–second system of units (CGS or cgs)
 3. IMPORTANCE OF DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
Dimensional Homogeneity
⮚ In engineering, all equations must be dimensionally
homogeneous. That is every term in an equation
must have the same unit.
⮚ Checking dimensions can serve as a valuable tool to
spot errors.
⮚ With some attention and skill, units can be used to
our advantages. How?
■ They can be used to check formulas
■ They can be even used to derive formulas.
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 3. IMPORTANCE OF DIMENSIONS AND UNITS
Examples
It is required to determine the mass of a fluid in a tank. The oil
density and the tank volume are given with units kg/m3 and m3,
respectively. Suppose we forgot the formula that relates mass to
density and volume.

How can we use the principle of dimensional homogeneity to find

the required formula to determine the mass of the fluid?

m=ρV
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Answer

To find the formula relating mass to density and volume using

the principle of dimensional homogeneity, we need to analyze
the dimensions of the given quantities: density (ρ), volume (V),
and mass (m). Using the principle of dimensional homogeneity,
we can analyze the dimensions of each quantity. In this case:
• ρ has dimensions of mass per volume (M/L³).
• V has dimensions of length cubed (L³).
• M has dimensions of mass (M).
To relate these quantities, we need to combine them in a way
that results in dimensions of mass (M) on one side of the
equation. Since density is mass per volume, and volume is just
volume, multiplying density by volume should give us mass.
So, our formula should be:
M=ρ×V
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4.
Force &weight

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 4. Force &weight
Some SI and English Units English SI
pound-
1 lbm = 0.45359 kg lbm kg kilogram Mass
mass
1 ft = 0.3048 m ft Foot m meter Length
s second s second Time

Force
Newton’s second law: Force = (Mass) (Acceleration) → F = ma
English SI
Primary unit Secondary unit
pound-force (lbf) newton (N)
The force required to accelerate a mass of The force required to accelerate a
32.174 lbm (1 slug) at a rate of 1 ft/s2 mass of 1 kg at a rate of 1 m/s2
1 lbf = 32.174 lbm . ft/s2 1 N = 1 kg . m / s2
Weight of four medium apples (454 g) Weight of a small apple (102 g)
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 4. Force &weight
Weight (incorrectly used to express mass)
Weight (W) is a Force
Newton’s second law: Weight = (Mass) (local gravitational acceleration)
W = mg
English: g = 32.174 ft/s2 SI: g = 9.807 m/s2
g decreases with altitude
Specific Weight γ
The weight of a unit volume of a substance, w/v, N/m3
γ = ρg

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 4. Force &weight
Weight (incorrectly used to express mass)
mbody = constant (regardless of its location in the universe).
However, Wbody = f(g)
But g = f(altitude)
Imagine yourself on the surface
of the moon. Does your mass
change? W weight
m mass
No, but on the surface of the g gravitational
acceleration
moon you weigh about 1/6 of
what you normally weigh on A body weighing 60 kg on earth
earth. Why? Simply because will weigh only 10 kg on the
moon.
gmoon/gearth=1/6.
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5.
DENSITY & SPECIFIC
GRAVITY

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 5. DENSITY & SPECIFIC GRAVITY
Density = Density is mass per unit volume;

Specific volume = Specific volume is volume

per unit mass.

ρ = f (T, P)

For most gases, the density is proportional to P (pressure)

and inversely proportional to T (temperature).
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 5. DENSITY & SPECIFIC GRAVITY
The densities of liquid are essentially constant, and thus
they can often be approximated as being incompressible
substances during most processes without sacrificing
much in accuracy.

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5. DENSITY & SPECIFIC GRAVITY
SPECIFIC GRAVITY (SG)
SG, also known as
relative density, is a
dimensionless quantity
that compares the ρ of
a substance to the ρ of
a reference substance,
typically water at a
specified T and P.

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6.
Temperature

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 6. Temperature
Temperature
is a physical quantity that is a measure of hotness and coldness
on a numerical scale.[1]
It is measured by a thermometer, which may be calibrated in
any of various temperature scales, Celsius, Fahrenheit, Kelvin,
etc.

☺
We use the symbol c to denote the specific heat capacity.
For water the value of c is 4200 J/kg°C.
[1] Maxwell, J.C. (1871). Theory of Heat, Longmans, Green, and Co., London. p. 2.

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 6. Temperature
Zeroth Law of thermodynamics
If two bodies are in thermal equilibrium with a third body, they
are also in thermal equilibrium with each other.

By replacing the third body with a

thermometer, the zeroth law can be
restated as two bodies are in thermal
equilibrium if both have the same
temperature reading even though they
are not in contact.
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7.
Pressure

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 7. Pressure
Pressure: A normal force exerted
by a fluid per unit area

The normal stress (or

“pressure”) on the
feet of a chubby
person is much
greater than on the
feet of a slim person.
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 7. Pressure
• Absolute pressure: The actual pressure at a given position. It is measured
relative to absolute vacuum (i.e., absolute zero pressure).
• Gage pressure: The difference between the absolute pressure and the local
atmospheric pressure. Most pressure-measuring devices are calibrated to
read zero in the atmosphere, and so they indicate gage pressure.
• Vacuum pressures: Pressures below atmospheric pressure.

Throughout this course, the

pressure P will denote absolute
pressure unless specified
otherwise.

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 7. Pressure
Pressure is force per unit area applied in a direction perpendicular to
the surface of an object.
• In a room filled with a gas, the variation of pressure
with height is negligible.
• Pressure in a liquid at rest increases linearly with
distance from the free surface.

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8.
SYSTEMS, CONTROL mass &
VOLUMES

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 8. SYSTEMS, CONTROL mass & VOLUMES

• System: A quantity of matter or a

region in space chosen for study.
• Surroundings: The mass or region
outside the system
• Boundary: The real or imaginary
surface that separates the system
from its surroundings.
• The boundary of a system can be
fixed or movable.

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 8. SYSTEMS, CONTROL mass & VOLUMES
• Systems may be considered to be
closed or open.
• Closed system (Control
mass): A fixed amount of
mass, and no mass can
cross its boundary.

• Isolated system is a
closed system, where
energy is not allowed to
cross the boundary.
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 8. SYSTEMS, CONTROL mass & VOLUMES
• Open system (control volume): A properly selected
region in space.
• It usually encloses a device that involves mass flow such
as a compressor, turbine, or nozzle.
• Both mass and energy can cross the boundary of a
control volume.

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 8. SYSTEMS, CONTROL mass & VOLUMES

• Control surface:
The boundaries of a
control volume. It
can be real or
imaginary.

An open system (a
control volume) with
one inlet and one exit.

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8. SYSTEMS, CONTROL mass & VOLUMES
Examples of Open Systems
9.
PROPERTIES OF A SYSTEM

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 9. PROPERTIES OF A SYSTEM
• Property: Any characteristic of a system.
• Some familiar properties are pressure P,
temperature T, volume V, and mass m.
• Properties are considered to be either
intensive or extensive.
• Intensive properties: Those whose values
are independent of the mass of a system,
such as temperature, pressure, and
density.
• Extensive properties: Those whose values
depend on the size—or extent—of the
system, such mass and volume.
• Specific properties: are extensive Criterion to differentiate
properties per unit mass. (specific intensive and extensive
volume= V/m) properties.

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10.
STATE AND EQUILIBRIUM

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 10. STATE AND EQUILIBRIUM
• Thermodynamics deals with equilibrium states.
• Equilibrium: A state of balance.
• In an equilibrium state there are no unbalanced
potentials (or driving forces) within the system.
• Thermal equilibrium: If the temperature is the
same throughout the entire system.
• Mechanical equilibrium: If there is no change
in pressure at any point of the system with
time.
• Phase equilibrium: If a system involves two
phases and when the mass of each phase
reaches an equilibrium level and stays there.
• Chemical equilibrium: If the chemical
composition of a system does not change with
time, that is, no chemical reactions occur. 47
 10. STATE AND EQUILIBRIUM
The State Postulate
• The number of properties required to fix
the state of a system is given by the
state postulate:
– The state of a simple compressible
system is completely specified by
two independent, intensive
properties.
• Simple compressible system (SCS): If a
system involves no electrical, magnetic, The state of nitrogen is fixed
gravitational, motion, and surface by two independent,
intensive properties.
tension effects.

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 10. STATE AND EQUILIBRIUM
The State Postulate
• So, two independent properties are sufficed to fix the state.
• Two properties are considered independent if one can be varied
while the other is held constant:
– Example:
⮚Temperature and specific volume are always independent.
o What about temperature and pressure? Are they independent
intensive properties?
⮚The answer YES and NO!!!

• YES: as long as the system is single-phase.

• NO: During a phase-change process, T and P are not sufficient to
fix the state of a two-phase state. (P = 1 atm, 100 °C; mountain,
pressure is lower, <100 °C )
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11.
PROCESSES AND CYCLES

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 11. PROCESSES AND CYCLES
Process: Any change that a system
undergoes from one equilibrium state to another.
Path: The series of states through which a system
passes during a process.
To describe a process completely:
(1) one should specify the initial and
(2) final states, as well as
(3) the path it follows, and
(4) the interactions with the surroundings.

Quasistatic or quasi-equilibrium process: When

a process proceeds in such a manner that the
system remains infinitesimally close to an
equilibrium state at all times.

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 11.1. PROCESS Diagrams

• Process diagrams plotted by

employing thermodynamic
properties as coordinates
are very useful in visualizing
the processes.

• Some common properties

that are used as coordinates
are temperature T, pressure
P, and volume V (or specific
The P-V diagram of a
volume v). compression process.

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 11.2. Iso-processes

• The prefix iso- is often used to specify a process for

which a particular property remains constant.
• Isothermal process: A process during which the
temperature T remains constant.
• Isobaric process: A process during which the
pressure P remains constant.
• Isochoric (or isometric) process: A process during
which the specific volume, v, remains constant.
• Cycle: A process during which the initial and final
states are identical.
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12.
The Steady-Flow
Process

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 12. The Steady-Flow Process

• The term steady implies no change with time.

The opposite of steady is unsteady, or
transient.
• A large number of engineering devices
operate for long periods of time under the
same conditions, and they are classified as
steady-flow devices.

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 12. The Steady-Flow
Process

• Steady-flow process: A Under steady-flow

process during which a fluid conditions, the mass and
flows through a control energy contents of a control
volume steadily. volume remain constant.

• Steady-flow conditions can be

closely approximated by
devices that are intended for
continuous operation such as
turbines, pumps, boilers,
condensers, and heat
exchangers or power plants or
refrigeration systems.
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13.
Problem solving
technique

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 13. Problem solving technique
• To learn you need to grasp the fundamentals to gain a sound
knowledge.
• Master the fundamentals by testing this knowledge. How?
• Solve significant real-world problem
• Step 1: Problem Statement
• Step 2: Schematic (sketch the system, information)
• Step 3: Assumptions and Approximations (1atm)
• Step 4: Physical Laws (conservation of mass)
• Step 5: Properties
• Step 6: Calculations (from the known quantities to get
the unknown)
• Step 7: Reasoning, Verification, and Discussion

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Monday, April 22, 2024 59