Thermodynamics/Introduction

Thermodynamics is a relatively recent science that began with Sadi Carnot's book, "Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire" published in 1824. The subject of thermodynamics is the study of different forms and transitions of energy that can apply to all fields of science (physics, chemistry, biology).

Thermodynamics is an axiomatic science, based on axioms and derivative theorems. These axioms (also called postulates) cannot be demonstrated, but from these, theorems and relationships between quantities can be deduced. If these equations describe reality with sufficient accuracy, then the initial axioms are considered valid.

The three different approaches to thermodynamics

  • Macroscopic thermodynamics of equilibrium states;
  • thermodynamics of non-equilibrium processes;
  • statistical thermodynamics (begins at microscopic level and relies on statistical probabilities).


Classical thermodynamics (i.e. of equilibrium states), is based on four principles known as the zeroth law, first law, second law and third law of thermodynamics.

Although often complex to apply, thermodynamics is actually based on simple postulates. To understand abstract and complex systems, we can use a few analogies or rely on concrete examples from everyday life.

Attribution

This section is based on a translation of the French Wikiversity page [à la thermodynamique : Introduction ].[1]

References

  1. ↑ Translated from the French Wikiversity article "Introduction à la thermodynamique : Introduction " (version as of 2025-10-05) under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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