- #1
Ortanul
- 10
- 0
In order to explain the change in energy of an ice cube removed from a refrigerator and placed on the kitchen counter, I consider it as a closed system (can exchange only energy but not matter).
For the first law of thermodynamics, ∆U = Q+W. I'm pretty sure that the sign of Q is positive due to the temperature difference that results in the energy transfer. What I'm not sure about is the work. In the process that ice melts, I figure there might be a increase in gravitational potential energy because its center of gravity descends, so should the sign of W be positive, too?
I'm also not sure about the nature of those three types of energy. I guess the nature of internal energy is the microscopic motion of the particles in the system, but what about the other two?
Any help would be appreciated!
For the first law of thermodynamics, ∆U = Q+W. I'm pretty sure that the sign of Q is positive due to the temperature difference that results in the energy transfer. What I'm not sure about is the work. In the process that ice melts, I figure there might be a increase in gravitational potential energy because its center of gravity descends, so should the sign of W be positive, too?
I'm also not sure about the nature of those three types of energy. I guess the nature of internal energy is the microscopic motion of the particles in the system, but what about the other two?
Any help would be appreciated!