Article | REF: AF4040 V1

Formalism and principles of thermodynamics

Authors: Louis SCHUFFENECKER, Jean-Noël JAUBERT, Roland SOLIMANDO

Publication date: January 10, 1999 | Lire en français

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1. Thermodynamic systems

1.1 Definitions

A thermodynamic system (or system) is the matter contained in a portion of the Universe bounded by an envelope that fixes its volume.

The space outside the thermodynamic system is called the external environment. In any particular study of a thermodynamic system, it is important to define precisely the envelope which, in addition to its role as a boundary, has characteristic properties that enable it to :

or to totally isolate the thermodynamic system from the rest of the Universe;
or to authorize certain transfers with the external environment (energy, matter).