Thermodynamics tutorials: laws, entropy, cycles, exergy and Gibbs free energy, explained with engineering applications. New here? Start with the Thermodynamics guide, which organizes every article by topic.
In the world of thermodynamics, analyzing energy alone is not enough to fully understand how systems perform or how efficiently they operate. While energy is conserved, not all energy is equally useful, this is where the concepts of availability and exergy come into play. These two ideas provide insight into the quality of energy and…
Thermodynamics is a fundamental physics and engineering branch governing energy transfer and transformation. Among its key principles, the Second Law of Thermodynamics plays a crucial role in defining the direction of processes, the concept of entropy, and the efficiency of thermal systems. This article explores key thermodynamic principles, including reversible and irreversible processes, entropy, and…
Thermodynamic cycles are fundamental principles in engineering, establishing the basis for the operation of power plants, internal combustion engines, refrigerators, and air conditioners. These cycles describe the processes a working fluid undergoes to convert heat into work or vice versa. This article explores various thermodynamic cycles, including basic, Carnot, Rankine, Otto, Diesel, Brayton, refrigeration, and…
Thermodynamic devices play a crucial role in various engineering applications, from power generation to refrigeration and heating systems. These devices are designed to control energy transfer, pressure, and temperature through various mechanical and thermal processes. This article explores essential thermodynamic devices and their fundamental functions. What is an ideal gas in simple words? Before discussing…
Thermodynamics is a fundamental branch of physics and engineering that governs how energy is transferred, converted, and conserved in a system. From engines and refrigerators to power plants and climate systems, thermodynamic principles are crucial in understanding and optimizing energy use. In this crash course, we will explore the core principles of thermodynamics, focusing on…
An internal combustion engine (ICE or IC engine) is a heat engine. There are two commonly used reciprocating heat engines found on the market today. The spark ignition (SI) engines and compression ignition (CI) engines. Due to their different ignition mechanisms, these engines have varying fuel property requirements. For instance, SI engines need volatile fuel…
Learn battery thermodynamics: Gibbs free energy, cell voltage, the Nernst equation, entropy and heat, plus the battery energy formula (Wh = V × Ah).
In thermodynamics, Gibbs free energy (often referred to simply as Gibbs energy, symbolized as G) is a thermodynamic potential that quantifies the maximum non-pressure-volume work achievable by a thermodynamically isolated system at constant temperature and pressure. It also serves as a criterion for processes, including chemical reactions, that can occur under these conditions. What is…
Have you ever wondered how a conventional powertrain makes your car move? Today, we’re covering the powertrain basics behind most vehicles on the road—the vehicle powertrain built around a conventional engine. In a conventional powertrain, an internal combustion engine (ICE) transforms the stored energy from gasoline or diesel fuel into kinetic energy within the engine….
What’s the difference between energy vs power? In the realm of physics and engineering, the concepts of energy and power are fundamental but often misunderstood. While they are closely related, they represent distinct aspects of physical systems. Energy is the ability to do work, while power is the rate at which work is done or…