Types of Thermodynamic Processes and 2nd Law of Thermodynamics

1. Candle

 Here we placed a candle in a flask, where it quickly went out. We also put a thin tube just over the flame when it was at the bottom, which allowed the flame to keep going. This was because the narrow tube provided an escape for the CO2, while the oxygen could feed down the outside of the tube.

2. Types of Processes

 In the two pictures above, we drew several graphs of the different thermodynamic processes. These included isobaric (constant pressure), adiabatic (no Q transfer), isochoric (constant volume), and isothermal (constant temperature)

3. Isothermal Process

 This device helped us witness an isothermal process. Turning the handle at the top controls the piston in the cylinder. Using this, you can perform work on the gas inside. Done slowly enough, you can keep the temperature constant.

 

Here we solved the work required to get the piston from one position to another in the above device

4. Problem Solving

 This is the solution to a problem involving a water tank. The work to pump water into the tank involved gravitational potential energy.

Here we witnessed a heat engine, which converted heat into mechanical energy.