First Law of Thermodynamics

Q
system W

surroundings

If a closed system undergoes a process from state 1 to

state 2, then

∆E 1→ 2 = ∆KE 1→ 2 + ∆PE1→ 2 + ∆U 1→ 2 = Q1→ 2 − W1→ 2

The increase in the KE + increase in PE + increase in

internal energy = heat transferred into the system – work
done by the system

For most situations change in KE and PE is negligible so

∆U 1→ 2 = Q1→ 2 − W1→ 2

∆U = (U 2 − U 1 ) = Q − W

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Developing a thermodynamic model involves defining the
system and defining the process characteristics such as:

• Adiabatic: Q=0
• Constant volume: ∫ PdV = 0
• Constant pressure: ∫ PdV = P∆V
• Isothermal: T = const → ∆U = 0

First Law on a per unit mass basis

Take first Law and divide through by the system mass

∆U Q W
= −
M M M

∆u = q − w

where u = U/M, q = Q/M, w = W/M are referred to as

specific quantities

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Consider the system changes in time ∆t
δQ

time t
U+∆U
U KE+∆ΚΕ
KE δW PE+∆PE
PE
time t+∆t

Applying First Law to the system:

E (t + ∆t) - E(t) = δQ − δW

[(U + ∆U ) − U ] + [(ΚΕ + ∆ΚΕ ) − ΚΕ ] + [( PΕ + ∆PΕ ) − PΕ ]

= δQ − δW
dividing through by ∆t

∆E ∆U ∆KE ∆PE δQ δW
= + + = −
∆t ∆t ∆t ∆t ∆t ∆t

 ∆U  dU
In the limit as ∆t tends to 0, e.g., lim  =
t → 0  ∆t  dt

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 dE dU d ( KE ) d ( PE ) & &
= + + = Q −W
dt dt dt dt

where
dE
= time rate of changeof energy contained within the system
dt

Q& = net rate of energy transfer into the system by heat transfer

W& = net rate of energy transfer out of the system by work

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Closed System Operating in a Cycle

In a cycle the system starts and ends at the same state

after executing a number of processes, e.g,

1 2 Qin 3 4
P2,V2 P3,V3 P4,V4
P1,V1

Qout

P
Qin
4
2

Qout
1

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Applying First Law for the entire cycle ( ∆KE = ∆PE = 0)

∆E cycle = Qcycle − Wcycle

Wcycle = Qcycle

Qcycle = Q1→ 2 + Q2 → 3 + Q3→ 4 + Q4→ 1 = Qin − Qout

V2 V4

Wcycle = W1→ 2 + W2 → 3 + W3→ 4 + W4→ 1 = ∫ PdV + ∫ PdV

V1 V3

P P 3

2 4

+W
-W 1

V V

V4 V1

Wcycle = ∫ PdV - ∫ PdV

V3 V2

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 V4 V1

since ∫ PdV > ∫ PdV

V3 V2

Wcycle > 0 net work produced

When the net work for a cycle is positive it is referred to

as a Power Cycle

For a power cycle

Wcycle = Qcycle = Qin − Qout

since Wcycle > 0 → Qin > Qout

When the net work for the cycle is negative it is referred

to as a Refrigeration or Heat Pump Cycle

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