Blackbody Radiation: The Perfect Thermal Emission
Blackbody radiation refers to the electromagnetic radiation emitted by an idealized object (a blackbody) that perfectly absorbs all incident radiation
Thermal Reservoirs: Ideal Heat Sources and Sinks
A thermal reservoir is a theoretical concept in thermodynamics used to model a body that can absorb or supply an
Carnot Efficiency: The Ultimate Limit for Heat Engine Performance
Carnot efficiency defines the maximum possible efficiency that any heat engine can achieve when operating between two thermal reservoirs —
Otto Cycle: The Thermodynamic Basis of Internal Combustion Engines
The Otto cycle is a thermodynamic cycle that models the operation of spark-ignition internal combustion engines, such as those found
Thermodynamic Cycles: Repeating Paths of Energy Conversion
A thermodynamic cycle is a series of thermodynamic processes that takes a system through different states and eventually returns it
Quasistatic Processes: Infinitely Slow and Always Near Equilibrium
A quasistatic process is an idealized thermodynamic process that occurs infinitely slowly, allowing the system to remain in or very
Entropy: The Measure of Molecular Disorder
Entropy is a thermodynamic quantity that reflects the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. An increase in entropy
Enthalpy: Total Heat Content at Constant Pressure
Enthalpy is a thermodynamic quantity that represents the total heat content of a system when the pressure is constant. It
Latent Heat: Hidden Energy of Phase Changes
Latent heat is the energy absorbed or released by a substance during a phase change (such as melting, boiling, or
Critical Temperature: The Liquid Limit
The critical temperature of a substance is the maximum temperature at which it can exist in the liquid state, regardless