Thermodynamic Function of State

From ExoDictionary
Jump to: navigation, search
This definition page has been automatically generated.
You can help ExoDictionary by expanding, updating, or correcting it.


This autostub has not yet had its initial copyediting proof and may contain significant formatting and even factual errors. You can improve Exodictionary by cleaning up the page markup and verifying that the definition is correct and then removing this tag.


This autostub has not yet had its initial categorization proof and may be categorized incorrectly. You can improve Exodictionary by removing inappropriate categories and then removing this tag.


Thermodynamic Function of State

</dt>
Any of the quantities defining the thermodynamic state of substance in thermodynamic equilibrium. Also called thermodynamic variable, state variable, state parameter. For a perfect gas, pressure, temperature, and density are the fundamental thermodynamic variables, any two of which are, by the equation of state, sufficient to specify the state. Quantities defined in terms of these, such as specific volume, potential temperature, etc., may also be used as thermodynamic functions of state. If the composition of the gas varies, this must be specified. Thus, some measure of water vapor is a thermodynamic function of state of the atmosphere. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use