Isolated System in Thermodynamics: Definition, Properties, and Applications

‘Isolated system’ refers to a thermodynamic system that is closed to any external interactions or exchange of matter and energy. In an isolated system, neither matter nor energy can enter or leave the system. It is a hypothetical concept used in thermodynamics to study the behavior and properties of a system in isolation.

In an isolated system, the total energy (including internal energy, kinetic energy, potential energy, etc.) remains constant over time. No external forces or influences can affect the system, and it is self-contained. This means that the system’s properties and behavior are solely determined by its internal interactions and the initial conditions.

Isolated systems are useful for studying fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, such as the conservation of energy and the concept of entropy. While true isolated systems are rare in practice, many real-world systems can be approximated as isolated systems for specific analyses.

It is important to note that the concept of an isolated system is an idealization and used as a theoretical construct for simplification and analysis in thermodynamics. In reality, most systems are open to some degree of interaction with their surroundings, exchanging matter and/or energy with the external environment.