How is Thermodynamics Useful in Day-to-Day Life?

Thermodynamics is an excellent example of how the demands of extremely practical applications can lead to very basic, generic notions and relationships, in contrast to the popular belief that the practical and applied aspects of science are the result of preceding the basic study. Thermodynamics shows us that ideas and concepts can move in both directions, from the fundamental to the practical. The very practical task of finding the best, most effective way to pump water out of tin mines in Cornwall and elsewhere sparked the thought that led us to the very fundamental, broad principles, even laws of nature that we name “thermodynamics,” particularly the young French engineer Sadi Carnot.

After discussing the thermodynamics definition in detail, let’s take a look at its history and applications of thermodynamics.

History of Thermodynamics

There are multiple roles that thermodynamics play in our Daily Lives. Thermodynamics is employed almost everywhere, either directly or indirectly, whether you’re in a vehicle, sitting comfortably in an air-conditioned apartment, or drinking a nice drink from the refrigerator.

Few could have guessed that Sadi Carnot, the father of thermodynamics, would play such a key role in the invention of the vehicle, which has become an indispensable element of our lives when he introduced thermodynamic theorems and cycles. Sterling Diesel, Otto, and Ericson further explored the thermodynamic cycles, resulting in new inventions and advancements in automobiles.

Applications of Thermodynamics

The following are the applications of thermodynamics:

1. In Melting of Ice Cube

Ice must be kept at a temperature below the freezing point of water every day to stay solid. On hot summer days, though, a tray of ice is frequently brought out to keep drinks cool. Both the laws are observed in the procedure. Someone might, for example, put an ice pack in a pitcher of lukewarm lemonade and neglect to consume it.

They’ll notice that the ice has dissolved but that the lemonade’s temp has dropped an hour or two later. This isn’t a completely closed system, though. The lemonade will eventually warm up as heat from the surroundings is transmitted to the glass and its contents.

2. When we take Bath Taking

Consider the case of a person who takes a long bath. The water is extremely hot during and after filling the bathtub, reaching temperatures of up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, the person will turn off the water and submerge himself in it. Because the water temperature is higher than the person’s body temperature, the water feels comfortable and warm at first.

However, after some time, some of the heat from the water will have migrated to the human, bringing the two temperatures together. Because this is not a closed system, the bathwater will chill as heat is lost to the atmosphere after some time has passed. Because his internal homeostatic processes assist keeping his temperature appropriately elevated, the person will cool, but not as much.

3. Flipping of a Light Switch 

This is one of the common applications of thermodynamics. Our lights are turned on by electricity. Electricity is a form of energy, although it is a secondary source of energy. Before we can turn on the lights, we must transform a major source of energy into electricity. Building a dam to hold back the water of a huge lake, for example, can be used to harness water energy. We can use the driving pressure of the water to turn a turbine if we slowly release water via a small opening in the dam. With the help of a generator, the turbine’s work can be utilised to generate energy. Electricity is delivered to our homes using power lines. The electricity was not created out of thin air; rather, it is the result of the transformation of water energy from the lake into another kind of energy.

4. Crowded Room Sweating 

The rules of thermodynamics apply in our daily lives. Consider being in a small, cramped room with a large number of other people. You’ll probably start to feel hot and sweaty as a result of this. This is the method by which your body cools down. The heat from your body is absorbed via perspiration. Sweat evaporates from your body as it collects more energy, becoming more disordered and transmitting heat to the air, raising the temperature of the space. A “closed system” of several sweating persons in a confined place will soon heat everything. The first and second laws of thermodynamics are in play here: no heat is lost; instead, heat is transferred, and the system achieves equilibrium.

In principle, heat is constantly flowing from the body at high temperatures to the body at low temperatures. This rule applies to all types of heat engine cycle including Otto, Diesel, etc. on all types of active liquids used in engines. This law has led to the advancement of modern vehicles.

Conclusion

That’s a wrap to the thermodynamics definition, history of thermodynamics, applications of thermodynamics, and more. Thermodynamics shows us that ideas and concepts can move in both directions, from the fundamental to the practical. The very practical task of finding the best, most effective way to pump water out of tin mines in Cornwall and elsewhere sparked the thought that led us to the very fundamental, broad principles, even laws of nature that we name “thermodynamics,” particularly the young French engineer Sadi Carnot.