Closed System

Definition

A closed system is a thermodynamic system that does not exchange matter with its surroundings, but may exchange energy. It is isolated from the transfer of matter but can interact with its environment through the transfer of energy, such as heat or work.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In a closed system, the total mass of the system remains constant, as no matter can enter or leave the system.
2. The first law of thermodynamics states that the change in the internal energy of a closed system is equal to the sum of the work done on the system and the heat added to the system.
3. Closed systems are often used in the study of the conservation of momentum, as the total momentum of a closed system remains constant.
4. The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of an isolated or closed system not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium.
5. Closed systems are important in the study of thermodynamics, as they allow for the analysis of energy transfers and transformations without the complication of matter exchange with the surroundings.

Review Questions

• Explain how the concept of a closed system is relevant to the conservation of momentum.
  • In a closed system, the total momentum of the system remains constant, as no matter can enter or leave the system. This means that the total momentum of all the objects within the closed system must be conserved, even if individual objects within the system change their momentum. This principle of the conservation of momentum is a fundamental concept in classical mechanics and is essential for understanding the behavior of closed systems.
• Describe how the first law of thermodynamics applies to a closed system.
  • The first law of thermodynamics states that the change in the internal energy of a closed system is equal to the sum of the work done on the system and the heat added to the system. This means that in a closed system, energy can be transformed from one form to another, such as from heat to work or vice versa, but the total amount of energy in the system remains constant. This principle is crucial for understanding the energy transfers and transformations that occur in closed systems.
• Analyze how the concept of entropy relates to the behavior of a closed system according to the second law of thermodynamics.
  • The second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of an isolated or closed system not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium. This means that in a closed system, the disorder or randomness of the system will naturally increase, and the system will tend towards a state of higher entropy. This has important implications for the behavior of closed systems, as it suggests that they will naturally evolve towards a state of maximum disorder and minimum available energy, which is a fundamental principle of thermodynamics.

Related terms

Isolated System: An isolated system is a thermodynamic system that does not exchange either matter or energy with its surroundings. It is completely separated from its environment.

Open System: An open system is a thermodynamic system that exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings. It is not isolated from its environment.

Adiabatic Process: An adiabatic process is a thermodynamic process in which no heat is transferred to or from the system. It is a special case of a closed system.