The First Law of Thermodynamics is all about energy conservation. Here’s a explanation:
- Statement: Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transferred or transformed.
- Meaning: The total energy of a system changes only by adding or removing energy as heat or work.
- Importance:
- Explains how engines, refrigerators, and chemical reactions use energy.
- Helps calculate energy requirements for heating, cooling, or doing work.
Simple way to think:
- Energy going into a system = Energy stored + Energy leaving as work or heat.
In short: The first law ensures that all energy changes are accounted for — nothing just disappears.