Thermodynamics

Abstract

Thermodynamics is the branch of physics that describes the transformation of energy and matter. It deals in very general terms with systems which are characterized by a large number of constituents. Because of its general and ubiquitous nature, thermodynamics is a very useful concept to describe all kinds of processes in the world, in particular human economic activity.¹ It is of special importance for resource extraction, the use of these resources by economies, and the impact of their diffusion into the environment by production and consumption activities. All of these are transformation processes of energy or matter; hence, thermodynamics is appropriate to be considered a basic concept for understanding the material basis of economy-environment interactions.