The first law of thermodynamics is mainly concerned with energy conservation and it states that energy cannot be created or destroyed. However, energy can be converted from one form to another. The total amount of energy entering into a system must be equal to the equal to the total amount of energy that is leaving the system (Toja-Silva & Rovira, 2014). Energy can be transformed and transferred but it must always remain constant.
The second law of thermodynamics is entropy. Entropy is the measure of change from order to disorder. Matter will move from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration. The law states that entropy of an isolated system that is not in thermal equilibrium will increase to a point of equilibrium (Toja-Silva & Rovira, 2014). It is not possible for heat to emanate from a cold object to a warm object without work. In essence, an object that is cold cannot make another object warm naturally.
Energy remains constant because it cannot be created or destroyed. The first law mainly covers the conservation of energy and its transformation from form to another. However, something does change in the energy conversion and that is its re-usability. Anytime there is an energy conversion there is some energy that becomes less useful and eventually, all the energy will become less useful. This is mainly in as far as the ability of energy to make things happen is concerned. Therefore, the more energy that is used the more low-grade energy is available. Low-grade energy is only useful for warming the air around us and it cannot be used to do things that are considered useful. With energy efficiency, we would be able to reduce the amount of low-grade energy. Thus, ensuring that we are not...
References
Ellabban, O., Abu-Rub, H., & Blaabjerg, F. (2014). Renewable energy resources: Current status, future prospects and their enabling technology. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 39, 748-764.
Toja-Silva, F., & Rovira, A. (2014). A first and second thermodynamics law analysis of a hydrogen-fueled microgas turbine for combined heat and power generation. Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 136(2), 021501.
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