First Law of Thermodynamics
First Law of Thermodynamics: In any system, the total energy of the system and the surroundings is constant.
Translation: Energy is not created or destroyed in chemical reactions ... only interconverted between different forms, like kinetic energy (temperature) and potential energy (bond energy).
If a system is isolated, the total energy inside the system always remains constant.
The only way to change the total energy of the system is for the surroundings to cause it ... either by adding/removing heat (Δq) or by performing work on the system, such as an expansion or compression) (ΔW).
Translation: Energy is not created or destroyed in chemical reactions ... only interconverted between different forms, like kinetic energy (temperature) and potential energy (bond energy).
If a system is isolated, the total energy inside the system always remains constant.
The only way to change the total energy of the system is for the surroundings to cause it ... either by adding/removing heat (Δq) or by performing work on the system, such as an expansion or compression) (ΔW).
