List of thermodynamic properties

List of Thermodynamic Properties

Thermodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with heat, work, and temperature, and their relation to energy, radiation, and physical properties of matter. The behavior of these quantities is governed by the four laws of thermodynamics which convey a quantitative description using measurable macroscopic physical quantities, but are explained in terms of microscopic constituents by statistical mechanics. Thermodynamics applies to a wide variety of topics in science and engineering, especially physical chemistry, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering. This article provides a comprehensive list of thermodynamic properties, which are characteristics that can be used to describe the thermodynamic state of a system. Understanding these properties is essential for analyzing energy systems and predicting their behavior under various conditions.

Internal Energy (U)

Internal energy is the total energy contained within a system. It includes the kinetic energy of particles (which is related to temperature) and potential energy associated with the forces between particles. Changes in internal energy can be brought about by heating, work done by or on the system, and mass transfer.

Enthalpy (H)

Enthalpy is a property that combines the internal energy of a system with the product of its pressure and volume (H = U + PV). It is a useful quantity in engineering calculations, especially when dealing with processes that occur at constant pressure, such as reactions in an open beaker.

Entropy (S)

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. It is a central concept in the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease over time. Entropy can also be viewed as a measure of energy dispersal or distribution in a system.

Gibbs Free Energy (G)

Gibbs free energy is a thermodynamic potential that measures the "useful" work obtainable from a system at constant temperature and pressure. It is defined as G = H - TS, where H is enthalpy, T is temperature, and S is entropy. A negative change in Gibbs free energy indicates a process can occur spontaneously.

Helmholtz Free Energy (A)

Helmholtz free energy is a thermodynamic potential that measures the "useful" work obtainable from a system at constant volume and temperature. It is defined as A = U - TS, where U is internal energy, T is temperature, and S is entropy. It is useful for processes that occur at constant volume.

Temperature (T)

Temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a system. It is a fundamental parameter in thermodynamics that determines the direction of heat transfer between two systems.

Pressure (P)

Pressure is the force exerted per unit area by the particles of a fluid (liquid or gas) as they collide with the walls of their container. It is a fundamental parameter that affects the state and properties of a system.

Volume (V)

Volume is the space occupied by a system. For a given amount of substance, volume is influenced by its temperature and pressure.

Specific Heat (C)

Specific heat is the amount of heat per unit mass required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius. It is a property that varies with temperature and pressure and is crucial for understanding heat transfer in materials.

Thermal Conductivity (k)

Thermal conductivity is a property that measures a material's ability to conduct heat. It is crucial in the design of systems for heating or cooling and in understanding heat transfer processes.

Viscosity (μ)

Viscosity is a measure of a fluid's resistance to flow. It describes the internal friction of a moving fluid. A fluid with large viscosity resists motion because its molecular makeup gives it a lot of internal friction.

Chemical Potential (μ)

Chemical potential is a measure of the chemical energy of a species in a system. It is crucial for understanding reactions and phase changes in a system.