Lec 04

[BASIC THERMODYNAMICS] First Law of Thermodynamics (Non-flow Process)
The first law of thermodynamics is often called as the law of the conservation of energy, with
particular reference to heat energy and mechanical energy i.e. work.
First law of thermodynamics for a closed system undergoing a cyclic process
The transfer of heat and the performance of work may both cause the same effect in a system.
Energy which enters a system as heat may leave the system as work, or energy which enters the
system as work may leave as heat. Hence, by the law of conservation of energy, the net work
done by the system is equal to the net heat supplied to the system. The first law of
thermodynamics can therefore be stated as follows:
“When a system undergoes a cyclic change, the net heat to or from the system is equal to the net
work from or to the system.”
J   Q   W where  represents sum for a complete cycle.
The first law of thermodynamics cannot be proved analytically, but experimental evidence has
repeatedly confirms its validity and since no phenomenon has been shown to contradict it,
therefore the first law is accepted as a ‘law of nature’.
Joule’s Experiment:
Figure: Joule’s Experiment Figure: Cycle completed by a system

with two energy interactions i.e.,
work transfer followed by heat
transfer
ME 2101 [These Handouts are not alternative of Textbooks] Page 1

Figure shows the experiment for checking the first law of thermodynamics. The work input to
the paddle wheel is measured by the fall of weight, while the corresponding temperature rise of
liquid in the insulated container is measured by the thermometer.
The process 1-2 undergone by the system is shown in figure i.e., W1-2. Let the insulation be
removed. The system and the surrounding interact by heat transfer till the system returns to its
original temperature, attaining the condition of thermal equilibrium with the atmosphere. The
amount of heat transfer Q2-1 from the system during this process 2-1 is shown in figure. The
system thus executes a cycle, which consists of a definite amount of work input W1-2 to the
system followed by the transfer of an amount of heat Q2-1 from the system.
Joule carried out many such experiments with different type of work interactions in a variety of
systems, he found that the network input the fluid system was always proportional to the net
heat transferred from the system regardless of work interaction. Based on this experimental
evidence Joule stated that,
“When a system (closed system) is undergoing a cyclic process, the net heat transfer to the
system is directly proportional to the net work done by the system”. This statement is referred to
as the first law for a closed system undergoing a cyclic process.
i.e.,   Q  W
If both heat transfer and work transfer are expressed in same units as in the S.I. units then the
constant of proportionality in the above equation will be unity and hence the mathematical form
of first law for a system undergoing a cyclic process can be written as
i . e ,   Q   W
If the cycle involves many more heat and work quantities as shown in figure, the same result will
be found.
Figure: Cyclic Process on a Property Diagram
For this cyclic process the statement of first law can be written as
 Q   W
12341 12341
The cyclic integral in the above equation can be split into a series of non-cyclic integral as

or 1Q2 + 2Q3 + 3Q4 + 4Q1 = 1W2 + 2W3 + 3W4 + 4W1

i.e.,  Q =  W
or (∑Q)cycle = (∑W)cycle
This is the first law for a closed system undergoing a cyclic process. i.e., it is stated as
“When a closed system is undergoing a cyclic process the algebraic sum of heat transfers is equal to the
algebraic sum of the work transfers”.
First law for a closed system undergoing a non-cyclic process (i.e., for a change of state):
If a system undergoes a change of state during which both heat transfer and work transfer are
involved, the net energy transfer will be stored or accumulated within the system.
Consider a system that undergoes a cycle, changing from state 1 to state 2 by process A or by process
C and returning from state 2 to state 1 by process B.
So two distinct cyclic processes here, 1-A-2-B-1 and 1-C-2-B-1.
For Cycle 1-A-2-B-1

For Cycle 1-C-2-B-1
The physical significance of the property E is that it represents all the energy of a system at a given
state.
If Q is the amount of heat transferred to the system and W is the amount of work transferred
from the system during the process as shown in figure,
W The net energy transfer (Q-W) will be stored in the

system as energy.
System Q-W = ∆E, Where ∆E is the net increase in the
Q energy of the system.

Energy of the System:
Internal energy is associated with internal structure of matter. This energy cannot be determined in its
absolute values. But it is possible to determine the change in internal energy of the system undergoing a
process by first law of thermodynamics.
 Total energy E = KE + PE + IE
Since the terms comprising E are point functions, we can write

dE = d(KE) + d (PE) + dU
The first law of thermodynamics for a change of state of a system may therefore be written as
Q = dU + d (KE) + d (PE) + W
In words this equation states that as a system undergoes a change of state, energy may cross the
boundary as either heat or work, and each may be positive or negative. The net change in the energy of
the system will be exactly equal to the net energy that crosses the boundary of the system. The energy of
the system may change in any of three ways, namely, by a change in IE, KE or P.E.
Sub. For KE and PE in the above equation
2
d (mV )
Q = dU + + d (mgZ) + W
2

In the integral form this equation is, assuming ‘g’ is a constant.
Most closed systems remain stationary during a process and thus experience no change in their kinetic
and potential energies. Closed systems whose velocity and elevation of the center of gravity remain
constant during a process are frequently referred to as stationary systems.
In this text, a closed system is assumed to be stationary unless stated otherwise.
Hence,  Q  dU   W
Or in integral form, Q1-2 = U2 – U1 + W1-2 . This equation is known as Non-flow

Energy Equation.

Law of conservation of energy (2nd corollary of first law of thermodynamics)

From first law of thermodynamics Q1-2 = E2 – E1 + W1-2
This equation in effect is a statement of the conservation of energy. The net change of the energy of the
system is always equal to the net transfer of energy across the system boundary as heat and work.
For an isolated system, Q = 0, W = 0. Hence, E2 – E1 = 0
For an isolated system, the energy of the system remains constant.
Therefore, the first law of thermodynamics may also be stated as follows, “The internal Energy of a
closed system remains unchanged if the system is isolated from its surrounding”.
Perpetual Motion Machine of first kind (PMM-I) (3rd Corollary):

Any system which violates the first law of thermodynamics is called the Perpetual Motion machine of
first kind. i.e., “It is impossible to construct a perpetual motion machine of first kind”. A perpetual
machine is one which can do continuous work without receiving energy from other systems or
surroundings. It will create energy on its own and thus violates first law. But from our experience we
also know that it is impossible to construct such a machine, as frictional resistance would not allow it to
run for an indefinite period.
Motor Generator
REFERENCE: ANJAN GOSWAMI

Assistant Professor,
Dept. of MPE, AUST

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[BASIC THERMODYNAMICS] First Law of Thermodynamics (Non-flow Process)

First law of thermodynamics for a closed system undergoing a cyclic process

Figure: Joule’s Experiment Figure: Cycle completed by a system

ME 2101 [These Handouts are not alternative of Textbooks] Page 1

Figure: Cyclic Process on a Property Diagram

ME 2101 [These Handouts are not alternative of Textbooks] Page 2

or 1Q2 + 2Q3 + 3Q4 + 4Q1 = 1W2 + 2W3 + 3W4 + 4W1

For Cycle 1-A-2-B-1

W The net energy transfer (Q-W) will be stored in the

ME 2101 [These Handouts are not alternative of Textbooks] Page 3

Energy of the System:

Since the terms comprising E are point functions, we can write

Sub. For KE and PE in the above equation

ME 2101 [These Handouts are not alternative of Textbooks] Page 4

In the integral form this equation is, assuming ‘g’ is a constant.

In this text, a closed system is assumed to be stationary unless stated otherwise.

Or in integral form, Q1-2 = U2 – U1 + W1-2 . This equation is known as Non-flow

ME 2101 [These Handouts are not alternative of Textbooks] Page 5

Law of conservation of energy (2nd corollary of first law of thermodynamics)

Perpetual Motion Machine of first kind (PMM-I) (3rd Corollary):

REFERENCE: ANJAN GOSWAMI

ME 2101 [These Handouts are not alternative of Textbooks] Page 6

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