6533b83afe1ef96bd12a77f6

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Basic Notions of the Theory of Heat

subject

description

This chapter summarizes some basic notions of thermodynamics and defines the empirical variables which are needed for the description of thermodynamic systems in equilibrium. Empirical temperature and several scales used to measure temperature are defined. The so-called “zeroth law of thermodynamics” is formulated which says that systems which are in mutual equilibrium have the same temperature. Thermodynamic ensembles corresponding to different macroscopic boundary conditions are introduced and are illustrated by simple models such as the ideal gas. Also, entropy appears on the scene for a first time, both in its statistical and its thermodynamical interpretation. Gibb’s fundamental form is introduced which describes different ways a given system exchanges energy with its environment.