Temperature Scales

Temperature Scales

Freezing point of water known as ice point and boiling point of water known as steam point are taken as the reference states for all types of temperature scales.

The various types as temperature scales in use are :

a)                Celsius scale

b)               Fahrenheit scale

c)                Kelvin scale

d)               Rankine scale

Reference state    Celsius        Kelvin        Fahrenheit Rankine

Steam point          100    373    212    672

Ice point     0        273    32      492

Absolute Zero      -273  0        -460  0

Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Systems

Matter can exist in any one of the three phases namely solid, liquid and gas. A system consisting of a single phase is known as homogeneous systems. If the matter exists in more than one phase, the system is known as heterogeneous system.

BASIC CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS

Thermodynamics is the science of energy transfer which deals with the relations among heat, work and properties of systems.

The name ‘thermodynamics’ is derived from the Greek words therme, meaning ‘heat’ and dynamis meaning power. Thus, thermodynamics is basically the study of heat and power.

Application Area of Thermodynamics

Energy transfer is present in almost all the engineering activities. Hence, the principles of thermodynamics are playing vital role in designing all the engineering equipments such as internal combustion engines, rockets, jet engines, thermal and nuclear power plants, refrigerators etc.