First Law of Thermodynamics
Definition
The 1st Law of Thermodyamics simply states that energy can be neither created nor destroyed (conservation of energy). Thus power generation processes and energy sources actually involve conversion of energy from one form to another, rather than creation of energy from nothing.
Examples
- Automobile Engine: Chemical to Kinetic
- Heat/Furnace: Chemical to Heat
- Hydroelectric: Gravitational to Electrical
- Solar: Optical to Electrical
Equation for Solving 1st Law
dE= Q-W (2)
- dE= change in internal energy
- Q= heat added to the system
- W= work done by the system