ZOO 204 Lecture 7 Laws of Thermodynamics

Laws of
Thermodynamics
Dr. Owiti Yugi, PhD.
Lecturer, Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Kabianga
Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of
Biological Sciences, UoK 1
The laws of thermodynamics
Thermodynamics is the study of the effects of work, heat, and
energy on a system. It is the study of energy defined as the
ability to bring about change or to do work.
A system = is defined as a regularly interacting and

interdependent components forming a unified whole
Ecosystem = an ecological system = a community and its

physical environment treated together as a functional system
Types of systems
 An open system is one to which you can add/remove matter (e.g.
a open beaker to which we can add water). When you add matter-
you also end up adding heat (which is contained in that matter).
 A system to which you cannot add matter is called closed.
Though you cannot add/remove matter to a closed system, you
can still add/remove heat (you can cool a closed water bottle in
fridge).
 A system to which neither matter nor heat can be added/removed
is called isolated. A closed vacuum ‘thermos’ flask can be
considered as isolated.
Types of boundaries and interactions
Type of boundary Interactions
Open All interactions possible (Mass, Work, Heat)
Closed Matter cannot enter or leave
Semi-permeable Only certain species can enter or leave
Insulated Heat cannot enter or leave
Rigid Mechanical work cannot be done*
Isolated No interactions are possible**

It deals with stability of systems. It tells us ‘what should
happen?’. ‘Will it actually happen(?)’ and is concerned with
macroscopic (large-scale) changes and observations on energy
Kinetic
energy
Entropy Entropy
Potential
energy
All of thermodynamics can be expressed in terms of four

quantities
 Temperature (T)
 Internal Energy (U)
 Entropy (S)
 Heat (Q)

Classical & Statistical thermodynamics
 Classical thermodynamics is concerned with the relationships
between bulk properties of matter. Nothing is examined at the
atomic or molecular level.
 Statistical thermodynamics seeks to explain those bulk

properties in terms of constituent atoms. The statistical part
treats the aggregation of atoms, not the behavior of any
individual atom
1st law of thermodynamics
 Energy can be changed from one form to another, but
it cannot be created or destroyed.
 The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe

remains constant, merely changing from one form to
another in any biochemical process.

1st law of thermodynamics
 The first law of thermodynamics is an extension of the law of

conservation of energy
 The change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat

added to the system minus the work done by the system
ΔU = Q - W

Process Terminology
 Adiabatic – no heat transferred
 Isothermal – constant temperature
 Isobaric – constant pressure
 Isochoric – constant volume

Adiabatic Process
 An adiabatic process transfers no heat
 therefore Q = 0 and ΔU = Q – W
 When a system expands adiabatically, W is positive (the

system does work) so ΔU is negative.
 When a system compresses adiabatically, W is negative (work

is done on the system) so ΔU is positive.
Isothermal Process
 An isothermal process is a constant temperature process. Any
heat flow into or out of the system must be slow enough to
maintain thermal equilibrium
 For ideal gases, if ΔT is zero, ΔU = 0
 Therefore, Q=W
◦ Any energy entering the system (Q) must leave as work (W)
Isobaric Process
 An isobaric process is a constant pressure process. ΔU, W, and
Q are generally non-zero, but calculating the work done by an
ideal gas is straightforward
W = P·ΔV
 Water boiling in a saucepan is an example of an isobar process

Isochoric Process
 An isochoric process is a constant volume process. When the
volume of a system doesn’t change, it will do no work on its
surroundings. W = 0
ΔU = Q
 Heating gas in a closed container is an isochoric process

Heat Capacity
 The amount of heat required to raise a certain mass of a
material by a certain temperature is called heat capacity
Q = mcx ΔT
 The constant cx is called the specific heat of substance x, (SI

units of J/kg·K)

Implication of the 1st law of thermodynamics
• The 1st law of thermodynamics follows the law of
conservation of energy (physics) and describes how the
energy of the universe is constant.
• It emphasizes the fact that organisms cannot create energy
but since they need to survive they need a supply of
energy and this is achieved through acquiring (capture) it
from another source. Plants do this by photosynthesis and
animals by consumption (food ingestion).
• The focus here is on quantity
Implication of the 1st law of thermodynamics
The 1st law of thermodynamics is demonstrated by the process

of matter cycling. That is because there are only finite
amounts of nutrients (matter) available on the earth, they
must be recycled in order to ensure the continued existence of
living organisms.
Such cycling is demonstrated through the process of the
biogeochemical cycles

Biogeochemical cycles
Biogeochemical cycles are pathways for the transport and
transformation of matter within four categorical areas that make
up planet Earth (biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and the
atmosphere).
The pathways involves biological, geological and chemical
processes; hence the name biogeochemical cycles.

Biogeochemical cycles may also be referred to as cycles of nature
because they link together all organisms and abiotic features on
earth.
Additionally, the cycles are sometimes called nutrient cycles,

because they involve the transfer of compounds that provide
nutritional support to living organisms.
The cycles facilitate the transfer of matter from one form to another
and from one location to another on planet earth.
Biogeochemical cycles differ in their pathways,

and on this basis they are categorized as ether;
•Sedimentary cycles or
•Gaseous cycles

Sedimentary cycles
Sedimentary cycles involve transportation of matter

through the ground to water (from the lithosphere to
the hydrosphere). Common examples of such cycles
include;
•The phosphorous cycles and
•The sulphur cycles.

Gaseous cycle
Gaseous cycles involve transportation of matter

through the atmosphere and common example
include;
•The hydrological,
•The nitrogen,
•The carbon,
•The oxygen cycles.
Nature of elements transported in
Elements transported in the biogeochemical cycles are
categorized as:
1.Micro-nutrients and
2.Macro-nutrients

Nature of elements transported in
• Micro elements; elements required in smaller amounts. These
include; Boron used mainly by green plants, Copper used by some
enzymes and Molybdenum used by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
• Macro elements are elements required in larger amounts. These

include carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur.
Macro elements are the commonly cited examples of elements that
constitute major biogeochemical cycles. The molecules may be
further reduced to ionized or hydrated ions in aqueous solutions or
to ions in the atmosphere. Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of
Hydrological cycle

Carbon cycle

Nitrogen cycle

Phosphorous cycle

Phosphorous cycle

Sulphur cycle

Oxygen cycle

Oxygen cycle

Oxygen cycle

The importance of biogeochemical cycles
Biogeochemical cycles serve a variety of functions at
ecosystem level and in ensuring survival of various
organisms. These importance includes;
1.Transform matter from one form to another
2.Transfer molecules from one locality to another
3.Store elements
4.Maintain ecosystem Functioning
5.Linking living with non-living organisms
6.Regulate the flow of substances
2nd law of thermodynamics
 This law simply put states that every effort you put forth, no
matter how efficient you are, will have a tiny bit of waste.
 Stated another way it states that heat flows spontaneously

from a hot object to a cold object.
 Spontaneously means without the assistance of external work)

 The second law of thermodynamics introduces the notion of
entropy (S), a measure of system disorder (messiness)
 The implication of the law can be illustrated thus;
 If you watch a movie, how do you know that you are seeing
events in the order they occurred?
 If I drop a raw egg on the floor, it becomes extremely
“disordered” (greater Entropy) – playing the movie in
reverse would show pieces coming together to form a whole
egg (decreasing Entropy) – highly unlikely!
 The 2nd Law helps determine the preferred direction of a
process
A reversible process is one which can change state and then
return to the original state
 This is an idealized condition – all real processes are
irreversible

• “In all energy exchanges, if no energy enters or leaves the
system, the potential energy of the state will always be less
than that of the initial state.“ that is whenever energy is
transformed, between trophic levels there is energy
dissipation (loss) through the release of heat.
• This implies that there is no 100% transformation of energy into
usable form but that energy dissipates (lost) in the form of heat.
Heat is highly entropic (disorganized) and the flow of energy is
thus necessary to maintains order and life
• The Focus is on quality Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of
• Energy varies in its quality or ability to do work. In all
conversion of energy to work, there will always be a
certain waste or loss of energy quality. The principle of
energy degradation or entropy is universal.
• No perfect energy conversion system i.e. there are limits
on conventional energy conversion technology.
• Every transformation of energy results in a reduction of
FREE ENERGY (usable energy).

• Energy moves unidirectionally--from high to low
temperature. By implication, we can never recycle energy
meaning a natural ecosystem requires continual energy
flow from an external source.
• Any conversion of energy is less than 100% efficient and
therefore some energy is wasted or lost. Usually this
energy is lost in the form of heat.
• Only 25% of the energy stored in gasoline is transformed
in the motion of a car, 75% is lost as heat.

Implication of 2nd law of thermodynamics
The 2nd law of thermodynamic demonstrates principle of

energy flow in an ecosystem. It explain of the nature of the
flow of solar energy into the earth's systems.
As radiant energy, it is used by plants for food production. As

heat, it warms the planet and powers the weather system.
Eventually, the energy is lost into space in the form of infrared
radiation.
• Energy enters most ecosystems as sunlight, which

producers use to make food.
• Primary consumers get energy by eating producers.
Secondary consumers get energy by eating primary
consumers, and so on up the food chain.
• An organism uses most of the energy it takes in for life
processes. Some energy is lost as heat, and some is stored
in the organism’s body.


• An energy pyramid is a tool that can be used to trace the

flow of energy through an ecosystem.
• The bottom level, consisting of producers, has the largest
population and the most energy. The other levels are
consumers.
• Going up the pyramid, there is less energy and fewer
organisms at each level. Consumers at the highest level
have the smallest population.

Energy pyramid
Pyramid of energy is always upright. It is so because at each transfer about 80

- 90% of the energy available at lower trophic level is used up to overcome
its entropy and to perform metabolic activities. Only 10% of the energy is
available to next trophic level (as per Lindemann's tenDr. percent rule).
Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of
Ecological systems are reversible and employ negative feedback
mechanisms to maintain homeostasis (equilibrium)
Homeostasis = The property of a system, that regulates its internal

environment and tends to maintain a stable, constant
condition.
Negative Feedback = The way living systems maintain homeostasis.
Negative feedback systems include a sequence of events that

will cause an effect that is in the opposite direction to the original
stimulus and thereby brings the system back to its equilibrium position.
Predator Prey relationships are usually controlled by

negative feedback where:
Increase in Prey  Increase in Predator 

Decrease in Prey  Decrease in Predator 
Increase in Prey  and so on in a cyclical manner


Thank You
a Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of


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Laws of

A system = is defined as a regularly interacting and

Ecosystem = an ecological system = a community and its

Open All interactions possible (Mass, Work, Heat)

Closed Matter cannot enter or leave

Semi-permeable Only certain species can enter or leave

Insulated Heat cannot enter or leave

Rigid Mechanical work cannot be done*

Isolated No interactions are possible**

All of thermodynamics can be expressed in terms of four

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

 Statistical thermodynamics seeks to explain those bulk

 The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

 The first law of thermodynamics is an extension of the law of

 The change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

 When a system expands adiabatically, W is positive (the

 When a system compresses adiabatically, W is negative (work

 For ideal gases, if ΔT is zero, ΔU = 0

 Water boiling in a saucepan is an example of an isobar process

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

 Heating gas in a closed container is an isochoric process

 The constant cx is called the specific heat of substance x, (SI

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

The 1st law of thermodynamics is demonstrated by the process

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

transformation of matter within four categorical areas that make

up planet Earth (biosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and the

The pathways involves biological, geological and chemical

processes; hence the name biogeochemical cycles.

Additionally, the cycles are sometimes called nutrient cycles,

Biogeochemical cycles differ in their pathways,

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Sedimentary cycles involve transportation of matter

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Gaseous cycles involve transportation of matter

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

• Macro elements are elements required in larger amounts. These

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

 Stated another way it states that heat flows spontaneously

 Spontaneously means without the assistance of external work)

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

The 2nd law of thermodynamic demonstrates principle of

As radiant energy, it is used by plants for food production. As

• Energy enters most ecosystems as sunlight, which

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of

Dr. Owiti Yugi, Lecturer DPT of