Fundamentals of Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the science that deals with the study of energy

transformation, behaviour of a system and its properties.
Temperature and its measurement
The temperature of a system is property that determines whether or
not a system is in thermal equilibrium with other systems.
In order to obtain a quantitative measure of temperature, a reference
body is maintained and a certain physical characteristic of this body
which changes with temperature is selected. This selected
characteristic, changes of which may be taken as an indication of
change in temperature, is called thermodynamic property.
Method used before 1954:

( X1) X1 (X 2) X 2

( X1) ( X 2 ) X1 X 2
If and ( X ) X then
(X ) X (X ) X
( X1) ( X 2 )
(or) ( X ) X
X1 X 2
Method used after1954: There is only one fixed point since 1954 which has
been in use, viz. the triple point of water, the state at which solid ice, liquid water and
water vapour coexist in equilibrium. The temperature at which this state exists is
arbitrarily assigned the value of 273.16K. Then, t aX t
t
273.16
a
Xt Xt
Therefore, 273.16 X
aX X (or) 273.16
Xt Xt
 Thermometers
Thermometric
S.No. Thermometer Symbol Principle
Property
Constant volume gas 273.16
p
1 Pressure p pt
Thermometer
Constant pressure gas V
2 Volume V 273.16
Thermometer Vt

Electrical resistance 273.16

R
3 Resistance R
Thermometer Rt

Thermal
4 Thermocouple 273.16
t
EMF
Mercury-in-glass Length / L
5 L/H 273.16
thermometer Height Lt
 Constant Volume Gas Thermometer
p p0 M Zg
V cons tan t T
V
p T p
R

Constant Pressure Gas Thermometer

p
p cons tant T V
R
T V
Electrical Resistance
Thermometer

R R0 1 At Bt 2

Thermocouple
a bt ct dt
2 3

Liquid-in-glass
thermometer