Is All Work Mechanical or Are There Alternative Forms?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the nature of work in physics, specifically whether work must be mechanical or if other forms of energy transfer, such as internal or chemical energy, can also be classified as work. Participants confirm that energy transfer due to temperature differences is classified as heat, while chemical work is recognized as a form of non-mechanical work. Additionally, the conversation addresses the relationship between internal energy changes and total work, clarifying that total work encompasses all forms of energy changes, including mechanical and internal energy variations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics concepts, particularly energy transfer.
  • Familiarity with the definitions of mechanical work and non-mechanical work.
  • Knowledge of internal energy and its role in physical systems.
  • Basic grasp of heat transfer principles.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the laws of thermodynamics and their implications on work and energy.
  • Study the concept of chemical work in thermodynamic systems.
  • Learn about the relationship between internal energy and total work in physical systems.
  • Explore heat transfer mechanisms and their classification in thermodynamic processes.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those studying thermodynamics, as well as engineers and scientists interested in energy transfer mechanisms and their applications in various systems.

Anonymous119
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Hello, i have one question about work,
Does work must be mechanical ?
or we can change of some energy that is not mechanical (like internal or chemical)
call work ?
 
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Anonymous119 said:
we can change of some energy that is not mechanical (like internal or chemical) call work ?

Yes. If an energy transfer between two objects is caused by a difference in their temperatures, we call it heat, otherwise we call it work. Chemical work is an example of non-mechanical work.
 
Ok thanks, then i have new question,
If it says that is change of internal energy 1/3 of total work,
in total work i should count sums of every energy changes ?
 
I'm sorry, I don't understand the question. Can you re-phrase it in other words, or quote the problem or text that you're reading?
 
Ok, if it says that change of internal energy is part(for example 1/3) of TOTAL work executed over system(body). Does it mean that is TOTAL work indeed sums of every single work(mechanical work+internal energy change+...) ? If u understand me
 
Last edited:
Can anyone answer ?
 

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