Thermodynamic System and Surrounding | Boundary | Types

By | March 10, 2019

What is a thermodynamic system?

A thermodynamic system is an area (or volume) in space upon which study is concentrated.

Everything outside the system is called surrounding.

A system is separated from the surrounding with the help of a boundary. A boundary has zero thickness so it does not contain any matter.

thermodynamic system diagram

Types of boundaries in thermodynamics

There are four types of boundaries in thermodynamics

  1. Fixed boundary
  2. Movable boundary
  3. Real boundary
  4. Imaginary boundary

Types of thermodynamic systems

There are three types of thermodynamic systems

  1. Open system
  2. Closed system
  3. Isolated system

thermodynamic systems

Open system

An open system is a type of system in which mass and heat both can cross the boundary. Open system is also known as control volume.

Example of open system

A cup of hot coffee is a perfect example of open system since both heat and mass can cross system boundary.

Closed system

A closed system is a type of system in which only heat can cross the boundary. A closed system is also known as control mass

Example of closed system

A pot of boiling water with a lid over it is a perfect example of closed system since only heat can cross the systems boundary.

Isolated system

An isolated system is a type of system in which neither heat nor mass can cross the boundary.

Example of isolated system

A thermos flask Is a perfect example of isolated system since neither heat nor mass can cross system boundary.

Also read:

What is a path function?

What is dead state in thermodynamics?

What is two property rule in thermodynamics?

Image attributions:

Featured: By en:User:Wavesmikey, traced by User:Stannered – en:Image:System-boundary.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3363180

Thermodynamic systems: By Alkh.Alwa – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=49615539

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