1. Thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the study of energy conversion and the behavior of systems involving heat and work. Key concepts include:
- Laws of Thermodynamics:
- First Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (energy conservation).
- Second Law: Heat flows from hot to cold, and entropy (disorder) always increases in an isolated system.
- Third Law: At absolute zero, the entropy of a perfect crystal is zero.
- Heat Engines and Refrigeration Cycles: Analyze how systems like engines and refrigerators operate.
- Entropy and Enthalpy: These properties help analyze energy exchanges and system efficiencies.
Fluid mechanics deals with the behavior of fluids (liquids and gases) at rest and in motion. Key topics include:
- Properties of Fluids: Density, viscosity, surface tension, compressibility.
- Bernoulli’s Principle: Describes how pressure, velocity, and height are interrelated in fluid flow.
- Flow Measurement: Devices like venturi meters and orifice plates measure fluid flow rates.
- Turbines and Pumps: Devices used for energy extraction and fluid transport.
This focuses on how materials deform and fail under various forces. Key topics include:
- Stress and Strain: Analyze forces per unit area and material deformations.
- Elasticity and Plasticity: Behavior of materials under load (reversible vs. permanent deformations).
- Bending and Torsion: Study beams and shafts subjected to bending moments and twisting.
- Failure Theories: Predicting material failure under different loading conditions.
This involves the application of Newtonian physics to analyze static and dynamic systems.
- Statics: Study of bodies at rest; equilibrium of forces and moments.
- Dynamics: Study of bodies in motion, involving velocity, acceleration, and forces.
- Kinematics and Kinetics: Analyzing the motion of objects and the forces causing them.
This deals with the movement of heat energy between systems.
- Conduction: Heat transfer within a solid or between solids in contact.
- Convection: Heat transfer through fluid motion (natural or forced convection).
- Radiation: Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves, requiring no medium.
- Heat Exchangers: Devices designed to transfer heat efficiently between fluids.