the concept of continuum and its relevance in thermodynamics
the concept of continuum and its relevance in thermodynamics Even the simplification of matter into molecules, atoms, electrons, and so on, is too complex a picture for many problems of thermodynamics. Thermodynamics makes no hypotheses about the structure of the matter of the system. The volumes of the system considered are very large compared to molecular dimensions. The system is regarded as a continuum. The system is assumed to contain continuous distribution of matter. There are no voids and cavities. The pressure, temperature, density and other properties are the average values of action of many molecules and atoms. Such idealization is a must for solving most problems. The laws and concepts of thermodynamics are independent of structure of matter. According to this concept there is minimum limit of volume upto which the property remain continuum. Below this volume, there is sudden change in the value of the property. Such a region is called region of discrete partic
