Difference between revisions of "First Law of Thermodynamics"
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where <math>\mathrm{d}U</math> is the infinitesimal increase in the internal energy, <math>\delta Q</math> is the infinitesimal amount of heat added, and <math>\delta W</math> is the infinitesimal amount of work performed. | where <math>\mathrm{d}U</math> is the infinitesimal increase in the internal energy, <math>\delta Q</math> is the infinitesimal amount of heat added, and <math>\delta W</math> is the infinitesimal amount of work performed. | ||
| − | Note that if no energy is added, then the maximum amount of work that can be performed by the system is equal to its initial energy. This prevents the existence of a type of [[perpetual motion machine]] | + | Note that if no energy is added, then the maximum amount of work that can be performed by the system is equal to its initial energy. This prevents the existence of a type of [[perpetual motion machine]]. |
Revision as of 14:31, March 15, 2007
The First Law of Thermodynamics is that the increase in internal energy of a closed system equals the amount of heat energy added minus the work performed by the system.
Mathematically, this is described as follows:
where 
is the infinitesimal increase in the internal energy, 
is the infinitesimal amount of heat added, and 
is the infinitesimal amount of work performed.
Note that if no energy is added, then the maximum amount of work that can be performed by the system is equal to its initial energy. This prevents the existence of a type of perpetual motion machine.
