Thermodynamics

Exploring Heat, Energy, and Entropy.

Parameters

Heat Added (Q in J)

Work Done BY System (W in J)

Mass 1 (kg)

Spec. Heat 1 (J/kg·K)

Init Temp 1 (K)

Mass 2 (kg)

Spec. Heat 2 (J/kg·K)

Init Temp 2 (K)

Hot Reservoir Temp (Th in K)

Cold Reservoir Temp (Tc in K)

Process Type

Reversible Heat (Q_rev in J)

Temperature (T in K)

Mass (m in kg)

Latent Heat (L in J/kg)

Temperature (T in K)

Heat Transferred (Q in J)

Initial Temp (Ti in K)

Final Temp (Tf in K)

Specific Heat (c in J/(kg·K))

Mass (m in kg)

Transfer Type

Thermal Conductivity (k)

Area (A in m²)

Temp Diff (ΔT in K)

Thickness (L in m)

Convection Coeff (h)

Area (A in m²)

Temp Diff (ΔT in K)

Emissivity (ε)

Area (A in m²)

Source Temp (Ts in K)

Surroundings Temp (Tsurr in K)

Temperature (K)

Expansion Type

Initial Length (L0 in m)

Coeff of Linear (α in 1/K)

Initial Area (A0 in m²)

Coeff of Area (β in 1/K)

Initial Volume (V0 in m³)

Coeff of Volume (γ in 1/K)

Initial Temp (T0 in K)

Final Temp (Tf in K)

Live Data

Heat Added (Q)500 J

Work BY (W)200 J

ΔU300 J

Formula: ΔU = Q - W

Init Temp 1350 K

Init Temp 2280 K

Final Eq Temp315.00 K

Hot Res (Th)1000 K

Cold Res (Tc)300 K

Efficiency (η)70.00 %

Formula: η = 1 - Tc/Th

ProcessIsothermal

ΔS3.33 J/K

Formula: ΔS = Q_rev/T

TypeConduction

Rate (Q/Δt)500.00 W

Formula:

StateGas

Temperature300 K

Particles are far apart and move randomly.

TypeLinear

Init (L0/A0/V0)1.00 m

ΔT10.00 K

Δ Value0.00012 m

Final Value1.00012 m

Formula: ΔL = L0 * α * ΔT

Block 1

Block 2

Calculated via the Parameters panel.

Hot

Material

Cold

Theory & Scientific Principles

First Law of Thermodynamics: Internal energy change in a closed system is $\Delta U = Q - W$, where $Q$ is heat added and $W = \int P\,dV$ is work done by the system.

Calorimetry & State Changes: Sensible heat is $Q = mc\Delta T$; latent phase change heat is $Q = mL$.

Carnot Cycle & Efficiency: The maximum theoretical thermal efficiency of a heat engine operating between hot reservoir $T_H$ and cold reservoir $T_C$ is $\eta_{\text{Carnot}} = 1 - \frac{T_C}{T_H}$.

Entropy ($S$): Second Law requires $dS \ge \frac{dQ}{T}$, with total isolated universe entropy $\Delta S_{\text{univ}} \ge 0$.

Operating Instructions: Use the sidebar tab switcher to simulate the First Law, Zeroth Law thermal equilibrium, Heat Engine PV diagrams, Carnot efficiency, and Entropy.