Thermodynamics: Energy, Work, and Chemical Reactions

This lecture covers the principles of thermodynamics, focusing on energy, work, and heat transfer in chemical reactions. The instructor begins by discussing the internal energy of substances and its relationship to work and heat. Key concepts such as enthalpy and entropy are introduced, emphasizing their significance in chemical processes. The lecture explains how thermodynamic analysis can predict the feasibility of chemical reactions and the behavior of materials under thermal stress. The instructor highlights the importance of understanding the system's boundaries, whether open, closed, or isolated, and how these conditions affect energy exchange. The relationship between work and volume change is explored, along with the implications of constant pressure and volume during reactions. The lecture also addresses the concept of enthalpy, defining it as the sum of internal energy and pressure-volume work. Practical examples, including combustion reactions, illustrate how to calculate changes in energy and enthalpy, providing a comprehensive overview of thermodynamic principles applicable to chemistry and materials science.