Surroundings

Definition

Surroundings are everything external to the thermodynamic system being studied. They interact with the system by exchanging energy or matter.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Surroundings and the system together constitute the universe in thermodynamic analysis.
2. Energy exchange between a system and its surroundings can occur as heat or work.
3. The First Law of Thermodynamics involves energy conservation between a system and its surroundings.
4. A closed system can exchange energy but not matter with its surroundings, unlike an open system which exchanges both.
5. The boundary separating the system from its surroundings can be real or imaginary.

Review Questions

• What constitutes the universe in thermodynamic analysis?
• How does energy exchange between a system and its surroundings occur?
• What distinguishes a closed system from an open system regarding interactions with surroundings?

Related terms

System: A specific portion of matter or space selected for thermodynamic study.

Boundary: The surface that separates a thermodynamic system from its surroundings.

Universe: $\text{In thermodynamics, it is the sum of the system and its surroundings.}$