Biology: LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS
Table of Contents
Laws of Thermodynamics | Potential vs. Kinetic energy | Learning Objectives
Laws of Thermodynamics
energy. Energy is the ability to bring about change or to do work. Thermodynamics
is the study of energy.
created or destroyed. The total amount of energy and matter in the Universe
remains constant, merely changing from one form to another. The First
Law of Thermodynamics (Conservation) states that energy is always conserved,
it cannot be created or destroyed. In essence, energy can be converted
from one form into another.
State Univ., GA) covering thermodynamics.
leaves the system, the potential energy of the state will always be
less than that of the initial state." This is also commonly referred
to as entropy. A watchspring-driven watch will run until the potential energy in
the spring is converted, and not again until energy is reapplied to
the spring to rewind it. A car that has run out of gas will not run
again until you walk 10 miles to a gas station and refuel the car. Once
the potential energy locked in carbohydrates is converted into kinetic
energy (energy in use or motion), the organism will get no more until
energy is input again. In the process of energy transfer, some energy
will dissipate as heat.
entropy. The flow of energy maintains order and life. Entropy wins when
organisms cease to take in energy and die.
Potential vs. Kinetic energy
been used, thus the term potential. Kinetic energy is energy in use (or
motion). A tank of gasoline has a certain potential energy that is converted
into kinetic energy by the engine. When the potential is used up, you're
outta gas! Batteries, when new or recharged, have a certain potential.
When placed into a tape recorder and played at loud volume (the only
settings for such things), the potential in the batteries is transformed
into kinetic energy to drive the speakers. When the potential energy
is all used up, the batteries are dead. In the case of rechargeable
batteries, their potential is reelevated or restored.
the hydrologic cycle, the sun is the ultimate source of energy, evaporating
water (in a fashion raising it's potential above water in the ocean).
When the water falls as rain (or snow) it begins to run downhill toward
sea-level. As the water get closer to sea-level, it's potential energy
is decreased. Without the sun, the water would eventually still reach
sea-level, but never be evaporated to recharge the cycle.
may also be considered from a potential energy or kinetic energy standpoint.
One pound of sugar has a certain potential energy. If that pound of
sugar is burned the energy is released all at once. The energy released
is kinetic energy (heat). So much is released that organisms would burn
up if all the energy was released at once. Organisms must release the
energy a little bit at a time.
is defined as the ability to do work. Cells convert potential energy,
usually in the from of C-C covalent bonds or ATP molecules, into kinetic
energy to accomplish cell division, growth, biosynthesis, and active
transport, among other things.
Learning Objectives
These learning objectives are taken from my
Biology for Nonmajors class (
of this chapter or another website that will facilitate your completion
of the objective.
- Define energy; be able to state the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
- Entropy is a measure of the degree of randomness
or disorder of systems. Explain how life maintains a high degree of
organization.
Links
- Biology Project (U of A)
and Enzymes Problem Set
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