Thermodynamic Systems

A thermodynamic system refers to a specific portion of matter, along with its energy interactions, that we analyze within thermodynamics. It can be as simple as a gas in a balloon or as complex as a steam engine. The system is usually divided into three types: closed (energy can enter/leave, but mass cannot), open (both energy and mass can exchange), and isolated (neither energy nor mass can exchange). Understanding these systems helps us grasp how energy is transferred and transformed, which is fundamental to studying heat, work, and various physical processes.