Thermodynamics is a theory of physics that explains energy and how systems work. Basically, Thermodynamics focuses on large-scale response systems which can be observed and measured by tests. There are four principles of thermodynamics namely zeroth law, first law, second law, and third law. However, the discussion herein focuses on the first and second laws of thermodynamics. The second principle helps in interpreting why a barrel of oil can only be used once as a fuel source.
Thermodynamics first law is also referred to as conservation of energy principle. The first law deals with energy and the state of matter. The law states that there exists a specific and finite amount of energy and matter in the universe. The standard amount can neither be increased nor decreased. However, energy and matter can be transformed from one form to the other, without losing the total gross of all the energy and matter. The first law is the foundation on which the relationships and interactions between various forms of energy that exists are studied. (Farabee, 2001). The law proves that no system can emit more energy than it precisely utilizes. Besides, matter can never be destroyed.
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The second law of thermodynamics is concerned with entropy, and this is the tendency for a system isolated to gain a stable state (Nave, n.d). The second law argues that in energy exchanges if no energy leaves or enters the system, the state's latent energy in the system will continually have lower amount than that of the original state. The universe is a system that is closed, which has a finite amount of energy and matter with no method of making more or destroying that in existence. According to the law, the things in the universe are constantly moving towards an equilibrium state, where all energy and matter have a similar physical state and are at the same temperature. For example, a car out of gas will not run until it is refilled with gas. A watch driven by watchspring will function until the potential energy is transformed, and not until again the spring is rewind by refilling it with energy.
Why can we not recycle high-quality energy resource?
As per the first law of thermodynamics, depletion of energy from the natural reserves is unachievable while in second law it is possible to drain high quality or useful energy. Based on the second law high-quality energy cannot be recycled. That is, Matter can be recycled, but high-grade energy cannot be reused. Food and fuels can be utilized only once in performing a meaningful work. For example, once a tank full of gasoline or a piece of coal is burned, the potential energy which is of high-quality in therefore forever. The conclusion is that the overall usefulness of a high-grade energy from a given energy source such as fuel or any other source of energy that is concentrated is always even less than what is projected by thermodynamics first law.
In conclusion, thermodynamics is involved with studying energy and is constituted of four laws. The first principle proves that energy cannot be exhausted while the second law states that high-quality energy cannot be reused. The laws differentiate energy with the matter for that matter can be recycled while energy cannot be recycled. There is more than enough energy in the universe to exhaust, but once an energy source is used up, it cannot be recycled. A moving car contains 10 percent of a high-grade chemical in its gasoline fuel which is converted to mechanical energy for running the vehicle and electrical energy in running electrical system in it. The 90 percent remaining is turned to low-grade heat that is freed into the thermodynamics setting which is finally lost to the universe. This means that a barrel of oil can only be used once and it can never be recycled to high-grade energy sources
References
Farabee, M. J. (2001). Laws of thermodynamics . Retrieved from https://www2.estrellamountain.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/BioBookEner1.html.
Nave, R. (n.d). The second law of thermodynamics . Retrieved from http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/seclaw.html.
