1.14.68: Surroundings and System

A Notebook for Topics in Thermodynamics of Solutions and Liquid Mixtures · LibreTexts

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    From LibreTexts, under Public Domain, as the source states it; its equations are written in TeX, which the PDF shows typeset. This page at LibreTexts.

    System

    The word ‘system’ describes that part of the universe which we have identified for the purpose of studying its chemical properties. The term "universe" in the latter sentence is somewhat pretentious (= implying ‘of enormous importance’ in a way that is doubtful). From the practical point of view, a chemist identifies the system as the contents of the reaction vessel (flask) under investigation.

    Surroundings

    The rest of the universe comprises the surroundings. We as observers of the properties plus all our measuring equipment including spectrophotometers and calorimeters are part of the surroundings. As far as chemists are concerned the surroundings mean the laboratory (+ chemist!) surrounding the system.

    This page titled 1.14.68: Surroundings and System was last modified on Sun, 10 Jul 2022 21:33:07 GMT and is shared under a Public Domain license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Michael J Blandamer and Joao Carlos R Reis via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.