First and Second Law of Thermodynamics
Pratistha Pal
Roll No: 105
[Link]. (Hons) Physics
Hindu College, University of Delhi
Semester III
November 2025
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 1 / 13
Outline
1 Introduction
2 First Law of Thermodynamics
3 Second Law of Thermodynamics
4 Applications
5 Summary
6 References
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 2 / 13
Introduction
Thermodynamics is the branch of physics dealing with heat, work,
and energy transformations.
It studies the macroscopic behavior of systems in equilibrium.
A thermodynamic system is characterized by state variables such as
pressure (P), volume (V ), temperature (T ), and internal energy (U).
The field is governed by four fundamental laws:
1 Zeroth Law — defines temperature.
2 First Law — conservation of energy.
3 Second Law — direction of spontaneous processes.
4 Third Law — behavior at absolute zero.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 3 / 13
Statement and Mathematical Form
Statement
The First Law of Thermodynamics states that:
∆U + W = Q
The change in internal energy of a system equals the heat supplied to it
minus the work done by it.
∆U — change in internal energy.
Q — heat added to the system.
W — work done by the system.
Example
A gas absorbs 600 J of heat and performs 250 J of work.
∆U = 600 − 250 = 350 J
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 4 / 13
Work and Heat in Different Processes
Isothermal process (∆T = 0):
V2
W = nRT ln
V1
Internal energy change ∆U = 0.
Isochoric process (∆V = 0): W = 0 ⇒ Q = ∆U
Isobaric process (P = constant): Q = ∆U + P∆V
Adiabatic process (Q = 0): ∆U = −W
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 5 / 13
Energy Flow Diagram
Energy exchange according to the First Law: Energy input as heat equals
internal energy change plus work output.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 6 / 13
Need for the Second Law
The First Law does not specify the direction of heat and work
transfer.
Example: The First Law allows heat to flow from cold to hot, but this
never happens spontaneously.
The Second Law introduces the concept of irreversibility and
entropy to determine the direction of natural processes.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 7 / 13
Kelvin–Planck and Clausius Statements
Kelvin–Planck Statement
It is impossible to construct an engine which, operating in a cycle,
converts all heat supplied into an equal amount of work.
Clausius Statement
It is impossible for heat to flow spontaneously from a colder body to a
hotter body without external work.
Both statements are equivalent and describe the same physical reality.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 8 / 13
Entropy and Reversible Processes
Entropy (S) is a measure of disorder or randomness.
Qrev
∆S =
T
I
dQrev
For a reversible cycle: =0
T
I
dQ
For irreversible (real) processes: >0
T
Entropy of an isolated system never decreases.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 9 / 13
Carnot Cycle and Efficiency
Carnot engine is an ideal reversible engine operating between two
temperatures T1 and T2 .
The efficiency is:
T2
η =1−
T1
No real engine can be more efficient than a Carnot engine operating
between the same temperatures.
Schematic of a heat engine showing energy
flow.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 10 / 13
Applications of Thermodynamic Laws
Power Plants: Convert thermal energy from fuel into mechanical
work using the Rankine cycle.
Refrigerators & Air Conditioners: Operate on reversed Carnot or
vapor-compression cycles.
Internal Combustion Engines: Apply both laws for fuel energy
conversion.
Biological Systems: Metabolism conserves total energy (First Law)
and increases entropy (Second Law).
Heat Pumps: Transfer heat from cold to hot regions using external
work.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 11 / 13
Summary
First Law: Energy can neither be created nor destroyed — only
transformed.
Second Law: Every spontaneous process increases the total entropy
of the universe.
Both laws together govern all energy transformations in nature.
These laws explain why perpetual motion machines are impossible.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 12 / 13
References
Çengel, Y. A. and Boles, M. A., Thermodynamics: An Engineering
Approach, McGraw–Hill.
Zemansky, M. W. and Dittman, R. H., Heat and Thermodynamics,
McGraw–Hill.
Callen, H. B., Thermodynamics and an Introduction to
Thermostatistics, Wiley.
Pratistha Pal Roll No: 105 [Link]. (Hons) Physics
First(Hindu
and Second
College,
LawUniversity
of Thermodynamics
of Delhi) Semester III November 2025 13 / 13