The definition of heat

Abstract

126. While the topics of energetics have received increasing attention in the general chemistry curriculum in recent years, textbooks do not provide students with comprehensive definitions of heat.

Cementing the foundations of thermodynamics: Comparison of system-based and surroundings-based definitions of work and heat

“…In a reversible process F fr = 0 and P = P s . Consequently, equations (8) and (9) give Surroundings-based work and heat w = ÀDE(piston) = À(…”

“…Expressions for heat and work cannot be derived from first principles but in fact must be introduced as definitions. Equation (8) gives the general expression for pressure-volume work w(sys-based).…”

“…The development follows that given below equation (29) in [13]. Clearly, any formulation of w and q must be consistent with equations (4) and (8). The general definition of work was given in equation (8) as…”

“…Thus, it is surprising to find that the definitions of work w, particularly pressure-volume work, and heat q remain unsettled and contentious topics in thermodynamics. Many papers have been written on this subject [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19], including two by the present authors [13,18]. Examination of these many papers and a representative group of textbooks shows two fundamentally different approaches.…”

On Discerning Critical Elements, Relationships and Shifts in Attaining Scientific Terms: The Challenge of Polysemy/Homonymy and Reference

“…. 21 E.g Zemansky (1970),Warren (1972),Heath (1974),Tripp (1976),Erickson (1979Erickson ( , 1980,Summers (1983),. Se-YuenMak and Young (1987),van Roon et al (1994).…”