Question

The first law of thermodynamics is the statement of

• A. conservation of heat
• B. conservation of work
• C. conservation of momentum
• D. conservation of energy

Hint:

- First Law of Thermodynamics: Conservation of Energy (\(\Delta U = Q-W\)). - Second Law of Thermodynamics: Entropy of an isolated system always increases. - Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics: Defines thermal equilibrium.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: State the First Law of Thermodynamics. The first law is often expressed as \( \Delta U = Q - W \), where \( \Delta U \) is the change in the internal energy of a system, \( Q \) is the heat added to the system, and \( W \) is the work done by the system.

Step 2: Interpret the meaning of the law. This law states that the change in a system's internal energy is equal to the heat supplied to the system minus the work done by the system. In essence, it says that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transferred or changed from one form to another (e.g., from heat into work and internal energy).

Step 3: Relate the interpretation to fundamental conservation principles. The principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed is the law of conservation of energy. Therefore, the First Law of Thermodynamics is a restatement of the conservation of energy principle, specifically applied to thermodynamic systems.