Question

When studying the movement of heat,what does the term"system" refer to? What does "surroundings" refer to?

Answer 1

@Mertsj

Answer 2

@aaronq

Answer 3

@nincompoop

Answer 4

@satellite73

Answer 5

@agent0smith

Answer 6

The system is anything you want it to be; a rock, car, a cup of water. Usually you pick it so that it simplifies your calculations. The surrounds would be anything that has the potential to interact with your system.

Answer 7

You will likely do a lab where you try and measure heat capacities. You will have water in an insulated container to minimize the effect of the surroundings. You will heat up an object and place it in the water and your system will be your item and the water and you will come up with good results the better your system is separated from surroundings.