Basic Concepts

Systems, properties, states, and processes. Pressure, temperature, and the Zeroth Law.

This module lays the foundations of thermodynamics: what it studies, how systems and their boundaries are defined, and the properties that describe a system’s state. It is the starting point for the entire course.

What you will learn

  • Identify and classify thermodynamic systems (closed, open, and isolated) and their boundaries.
  • Distinguish intensive and extensive properties, state, equilibrium, and process.
  • Define pressure and temperature, their scales, and their measurement.
  • Apply the Zeroth Law of thermodynamics.

Study tip

Review unit handling and conversion between systems (SI and English) along with dimensional analysis before moving on.

Slides

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