How do atoms affect thermodynamics?

[lucas_]

There was a time when they didn't believe in atoms. But thermodynamics and temperature still existed and applied. What are the ways that atoms can influence thermodynamics? I can only think of one now where the temperature of the nuclear warhead suddenly increased million folds due to the chain reaction and thermonuclear explosion. But what daily example where atoms can influence any thermodynamic variables?

 

[Tom.G]

Since temperature is due to the energy of moving atoms, and the speed that atoms are moving depends on their mass and how much kinetic energy they have, it's safe to say that atoms influence ALL thermodynamic variables. Try this Google search:
https://www.google.com/search?&q=speed+of+atoms+vs+temperature

 

[lucas_]

Since temperature is due to the energy of moving atoms, and the speed that atoms are moving depends on their mass and how much kinetic energy they have, it's safe to say that atoms influence ALL thermodynamic variables. Try this Google search:
https://www.google.com/search?&q=speed+of+atoms+vs+temperature

Ok. But I want to know effects where it's not scalar (affecting temperature all over), but vectorial, where only certain regions are affected.

 

[anorlunda]

Ok. But I want to know effects where it's not scalar (affecting temperature all over), but vectorial, where only certain regions are affected.

I don't know what that means.

But you should understand that temperature is a thermodynamic quantity related to the average energy of a large number of particles. If we look at only 1 or 2 particles (atoms), the concept of temperature does not apply, but kinetic energy, and momentum do apply. Momentum has direction and is "vectorial".

See this article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temperature#Kinetic_theory_approach