Heat transferred to a closed stationary system at constant volume is e...
Heat transferred to a closed stationary system at constant volume is equal to the increase in internal energy. Let's delve into each aspect to understand why this is the correct answer.
Heat Transfer at Constant Volume:
- When heat is transferred to a system at constant volume, it means that no work is being done by the system (as it is stationary) and the volume remains constant throughout the process.
- In this scenario, the heat transferred to the system is used to increase the internal energy of the system.
Internal Energy:
- Internal energy is the sum of all the kinetic and potential energies of the molecules within a system. It includes the energy associated with the motion and interactions of the molecules.
- When heat is added to a system, the internal energy of the system increases as the molecules gain more energy and move faster.
Relationship between Heat Transfer and Internal Energy:
- The first law of thermodynamics states that the change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system.
- In the case of a closed system at constant volume where no work is done, the heat transferred to the system is equal to the increase in internal energy.
- Therefore, when heat is transferred to a closed stationary system at constant volume, it directly leads to an increase in the internal energy of the system.
In conclusion, the heat transferred to a closed stationary system at constant volume is equal to the increase in internal energy because no work is done by the system, and the added heat is utilized to increase the internal energy of the system.