Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, and Heat Transfer

Collectively known as the thermal-fluid sciences, this cornerstone of mechanical engineering integrates three closely related disciplines to analyze and design systems involving energy and fluids. Thermodynamics deals with energy, its conversion between different forms like heat and work, and the properties of substances, setting the theoretical limits for system performance. Fluid mechanics is the study of how fluids (liquids and gases) behave under various forces, providing the principles to understand flow, pressure, and lift. Heat transfer complements these by focusing on the rates at which thermal energy is exchanged between physical systems through conduction, convection, and radiation. Together, these fields are essential for designing everything from engines and power plants to HVAC systems and aerospace vehicles.

1. Foundational Concepts in Thermal-Fluid Sciences
   1. Systems, Boundaries, and Surroundings
      1. Definition of a System
      2. Types of Systems
         1. Closed Systems
         2. Open Systems
         3. Isolated Systems
      3. System Boundaries
         1. Fixed Boundaries
         2. Moving Boundaries
         3. Permeable Boundaries
         4. Impermeable Boundaries
      4. Surroundings and Environment
      5. Interactions between System and Surroundings
         1. Energy Transfer
         2. Mass Transfer
         3. Work Transfer
   2. Properties of a System
      1. Definition of Properties
      2. Intensive Properties
         1. Temperature
         2. Pressure
         3. Density
         4. Specific Volume
      3. Extensive Properties
         1. Mass
         2. Volume
         3. Total Energy
         4. Entropy
      4. State of a System
         1. Equilibrium States
         2. Non-equilibrium States
      5. Thermodynamic Equilibrium
         1. Mechanical Equilibrium
         2. Thermal Equilibrium
         3. Chemical Equilibrium
         4. Phase Equilibrium
      6. Processes and Cycles
         1. Quasi-Static Processes
         2. Non-Quasi-Static Processes
         3. Cyclic Processes
         4. Path Functions
         5. Point Functions
   3. Fundamental Dimensions and Units
      1. Base Dimensions
         1. Mass
         2. Length
         3. Time
         4. Temperature
         5. Amount of Substance
         6. Electric Current
         7. Luminous Intensity
      2. Derived Units
         1. Force
         2. Energy
         3. Power
         4. Pressure
      3. SI Units
      4. English Units
      5. Unit Consistency
      6. Unit Conversion Techniques
      7. Dimensional Homogeneity
   4. Conservation Principles
      1. Conservation of Mass
         1. Mass Balance Equations
         2. Applications in Closed Systems
         3. Applications in Open Systems
      2. Conservation of Energy
         1. Energy Balance Equations
         2. Forms of Energy
      3. Conservation of Momentum
         1. Linear Momentum Principle
         2. Angular Momentum Principle
      4. Application of Conservation Laws