Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
4 terms
Emissivity
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
Dimensionless
The dimensionless ratio of thermal energy radiated by a surface to that radiated by an ideal blackbody at the exact same temperature.
ε = E_surface / E_blackbody (0 ≤ ε ≤ 1)
Enthalpy
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
J
A thermodynamic potential defined as internal energy plus the product of pressure and volume, representing total heat content under constant pressure conditions.
H = U + P V, ΔH = Q_p
Entropy
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
J/K
A fundamental thermodynamic property measuring the degree of microscopic disorder, randomness, or thermal energy unavailable for mechanical work in a system.
dS = dQ_rev / T, S = kB ln Ω
Equipartition Theorem
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
J
A classical statistical mechanics theorem stating that every independent quadratic degree of freedom contributes ½ kB T to a system's average energy in thermal equilibrium.
E_avg = (f / 2) kB T