thermodynamics

## What I do - Apply the four laws of thermodynamics - Calculate heat transfer and work processes - Analyze thermodynamic cycles (Carnot, Rankine, refrigeration) - Model heat engines and refrigerators - Study phase equilibria and chemical potential - Apply Maxwell relations and thermodynamic identities ## When to use me When analyzing energy systems, designing heat engines, or studying thermal processes. ## Key Concepts - **First Law**: ΔU = Q - W, energy conservation - **Second Law**: ΔS ≥ 0, entropy never decreases in isolated systems - **Carnot Efficiency**: η = 1 - T_c/T_h for heat engines - **Clausius Inequality**: ∮δQ/T ≤ 0 for cyclic processes - **Gibbs Free Energy**: G = H - TS determines spontaneity at constant T,P - **Maxwell Relations**: (∂S/∂V)_T = (∂P/∂T)_V connect thermodynamic variables