Introduction to Thermodynamics
Scope, Fundamental Concepts, and Theoretical Approaches
Course: KMSE303 - 02
Instructor: Prof. Joonho Lee
Date: Monday & Wednesday 16:30-18:00
Why Study Thermodynamics?
• How does energy move between systems?
• Why do some processes occur spontaneously?
• What limits energy conversion efficiency?
• Why is heat fundamentally different from work?
Applications:
• Engines
• Power plants
• Refrigeration systems
• Chemical reactions
What Do These Systems Have in Common?
All involve:
• Energy transfer and energy transformation
Thermodynamics studies:
• Heat
• Work
• Energy
• Temperature
• Equilibrium
Definition of Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is:
• The science that deals with energy and its transformations.
It studies:
• Energy transfer between systems
• Energy changes accompanying physical and chemical
processes
Central Concept: Temperature
• Temperature is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics
• It cannot be reduced to mass, length, and time
• It characterizes thermal equilibrium
• Key question:
What does temperature physically represent?
Macroscopic Nature of Thermodynamics
Classical thermodynamics:
• Deals with bulk matter
• Does not require knowledge of atomic structure
• Uses measurable properties
Examples of macroscopic variables:
• Pressure (P)
• Volume (V)
• Temperature (T)
• Internal Energy (U)
Universal Laws
Thermodynamics:
• Applies to natural phenomena
• Applies to engineered systems
• Is restricted to general laws governing energy transfer
It is universal but phenomenological.
Scope of Application
Thermodynamics is used in:
• Mechanical engineering (engines, turbines)
• Chemical engineering (reactors, separations)
• Materials science (phase changes)
• Physics (state equations)
• Environmental systems
Key idea:
It is independent of material details.
System and Surroundings
Definitions:
• System
The part of the universe under study.
• Surroundings
Everything outside the system.
• Boundary
Real or imaginary surface separating system and surroundings.
Energy crosses boundaries as:
• Heat
• Work
Types of Systems
• Open system (mass and energy exchange)
• Closed system (energy exchange only)
• Isolated system (no exchange)
Classical Thermodynamics
• Characteristics:
• Macroscopic approach
• No explicit reference to atoms or molecules
• Based on experimentally observed laws
Focus:
Relationships between measurable properties.
Macroscopic Variables
State variables:
• Pressure (P)
• Volume (V)
• Temperature (T)
• Internal Energy (U)
These describe the state of a system without reference to
microscopic detail.
Example: Gas Pressure
Microscopic reality:
• Molecules collide with container walls.
Classical thermodynamics:
• Uses pressure as a measurable macroscopic quantity
No need to track individual molecules.
Strength of Classical Thermodynamics
Advantages:
• Simple framework
• Broad applicability
• Powerful predictive capability
• Independent of microscopic assumptions
Limitation:
Does not explain why laws hold.
Transition to Microscopic View
Key Question:
• If thermodynamics ignores atoms,
how do macroscopic properties arise?
This motivates:
• Statistical Thermodynamics
Statistical Thermodynamics
Characteristics:
• Microscopic approach
• Based on average behavior of particles
• Built on quantum mechanics
Goal:
Derive macroscopic properties from microscopic behavior.
Microstates and Probability
Conceptual structure:
Microscopic states (microstates)
↓
Probability distribution
↓
Statistical averaging
↓
Macroscopic observables
Macroscopic properties are averages over many particles.
Role of Quantum Mechanics
• Energy levels are quantized
• Molecular states determine thermodynamic properties
• Partition functions connect quantum states to
thermodynamics
Statistical thermodynamics provides theoretical foundation.
From Atoms to Bulk Properties
Using microscopic information, we can calculate:
• Pressure
• Energy
• Heat capacity
• Entropy
Macroscopic behavior emerges from molecular behavior
Classical vs Statistical Thermodynamics
Classical Statistical
• Macroscopic • Microscopic
• Empirical laws • Probability-based
• Phenomenological • Fundamental
• Describes behavior • Explains origin
Complementary Nature
Classical thermodynamics:
• Practical engineering tool
Statistical thermodynamics:
• Microscopic justification
They are not competing theories —
they are complementary frameworks
Key Takeaways
• Thermodynamics studies energy and its transformations.
• Temperature is a central and unique concept.
• Classical thermodynamics is macroscopic and empirical.
• Statistical thermodynamics provides microscopic foundation.
• Both approaches are essential.