First Law of thermodynamics is equivalent to principle of ___________...
Conservation of energy, the the principle of physics according to which the energy of interacting bodies or particles in a closed system remains constant.
For example, when a pendulum swings upward, kinetic energy is converted to potential energy. When the pendulum stops briefly at the top of its swing, the kinetic energy is zero, and all the energy of the system is in potential energy. When the pendulum swings back down, the potential energy is converted back into kinetic energy. At all times, the sum of potential and kinetic energy is constant.
This version of the conservation-of-energy principle, expressed in its most general form, is the first law of thermodynamics.
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First Law of thermodynamics is equivalent to principle of ___________...
Understanding the First Law of Thermodynamics
The First Law of Thermodynamics is a fundamental principle in physics that relates to the behavior of energy in the universe. It is often summarized as the law of conservation of energy, which means that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.
Key Elements of the First Law:
- Energy Conservation: The total energy in an isolated system remains constant. Energy can change forms, such as from kinetic to potential, or from thermal to mechanical, but the total amount of energy does not change.
- Internal Energy: The internal energy of a system can be altered by heat transfer or work done on or by the system. This leads to the equation:
- ΔU = Q - W
Where ΔU is the change in internal energy, Q is the heat added, and W is the work done by the system.
- Practical Applications: This principle is fundamental in various real-world applications, including engines, refrigerators, and natural processes. It explains how energy flows and transforms, enabling us to design efficient systems.
Conclusion:
The First Law of Thermodynamics emphasizes that while energy can change forms and move between systems, the overall amount of energy remains constant. This principle underlines the concept of energy conservation, which is crucial for understanding both scientific and practical applications in fields ranging from engineering to environmental science. Thus, the correct answer to the question is option 'B', conservation of energy.