👉 Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that studies energy transfer and conversion, focusing on how systems interact with their surroundings to change states or perform work. The core principles involve the laws of energy conservation and entropy, which dictate that energy cannot be created or destroyed but can only change forms. The first law, the conservation of energy, states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant, while the second law introduces the concept of entropy, indicating that energy transformations always result in some loss of usable energy as heat. This engineering applies these principles to design and optimize systems like heat engines, refrigerators, and power plants, where understanding energy efficiency and minimizing entropy production are crucial for performance and sustainability.
