Thermodynamics
principle · 1824 · Industrial Revolution
The science of turning heat into work; the Carnot cycle.
Principles and materials it uses
- Conservation of energy — uses. The first law of thermodynamics is the conservation of energy.
- Kinetic theory — uses. A microscopic foundation.
Where it is used
- Heat engine — is used in. Thermodynamics describes how engines work.
- Vapour-compression cycle — is used in. Thermodynamics describes the cycle.
- Absolute zero — is used in. The thermodynamic scale.
- Heat pump — is used in. A heat pump moves heat from cold to warm by spending work — by the laws of thermodynamics.
History: what it evolved from and what it influenced
- Watt steam engine — was inspired by. Carnot wrote “Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire” trying to understand steam engines.
What it is a kind of
- Carnot cycle — includes. The main result of thermodynamics.
- Entropy — includes. The second law.