First Law of Thermodynamics

The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of energy conservation, is a fundamental principle in thermodynamics that states that energy cannot be created or destroyed in an isolated system. It can only be converted from one form to another or transferred between different parts of the system.

Conservation of Energy

The first law of thermodynamics is based on the principle of conservation of energy. This principle states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time. In other words, the energy of a system can change its form or be transferred to other parts of the system, but the total amount of energy remains constant.

Explanation

The conservation of energy is a fundamental concept in physics. It states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be converted from one form to another. This principle holds true for all physical processes, including those occurring in thermodynamic systems.

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that deals with the study of energy and its transformations in various systems. The first law of thermodynamics is an expression of the conservation of energy, specifically applied to thermodynamic systems.

According to the first law of thermodynamics, the change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system:

ΔU = Q - W

where ΔU is the change in internal energy of the system, Q is the heat added to the system, and W is the work done by the system.

This equation shows that the change in internal energy of a system is determined by the heat added to the system and the work done by the system. It implies that energy can be transferred into or out of the system in the form of heat or work, but the total energy of the system remains constant.

In summary, the first law of thermodynamics is based on the principle of conservation of energy. It states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant, and any change in the system's energy is due to the transfer or conversion of energy in the form of heat or work.