{"id":2535,"date":"2021-07-22T20:45:27","date_gmt":"2021-07-23T03:45:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/?p=2535"},"modified":"2021-07-22T20:45:27","modified_gmt":"2021-07-23T03:45:27","slug":"thermodynamics-mcat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/thermodynamics-mcat\/","title":{"rendered":"Thermodynamics MCAT Concepts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-Thermodynamics.jpg\" alt=\"Gas burning on stove\" width=\"1200\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2543\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-Thermodynamics.jpg 2400w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-Thermodynamics-300x150.jpg 300w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-Thermodynamics-1024x512.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-Thermodynamics-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-Thermodynamics-1536x768.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-Thermodynamics-2048x1024.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Looking to brush up on thermodynamics MCAT concepts? You&#8217;ve come to the right place! We&#8217;ll cover key concepts including functions, important equations, heat, Gibbs free energy, and more! You can also check out our overview of all of the <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/mcat-physics-chemistry-topics\/\">physics and chemistry concepts tested on the MCAT<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>For a PDF version of this material, as well as other great MCAT resources, click the link below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mcat.magoosh.com\/resources\/?utm_source=mcatblog&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=mcatresources&#038;utm_term=image&#038;utm_content=thermodynamics-mcat\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/06\/MCAT-Resources-Button.png\" alt=\"Click here to download more Magoosh MCAT resources\" width=\"540\" height=\"100\" class=\"center size-full wp-image-2408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/06\/MCAT-Resources-Button.png 540w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/06\/MCAT-Resources-Button-300x56.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2>MCAT Thermodynamics: States, Systems, and Processes<\/h2>\n<p>First, you&#8217;ll want to consider states and state processes in terms of the Ideal Gas Law, which is as follows:<\/p>\n<p><strong>PV = nRT<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>This would include considering pressure vs. volume<\/li>\n<li>Work would be calculated as area under the curve<\/li>\n<li>Adiabatic: P = C\/V<\/li>\n<li>Isovolumetric: NA<\/li>\n<li>Isothermal: P = nRT\/V<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[threecol_two]<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-thermodynamics-graph.png\" alt=\"Magoosh image depicting a graph illustrating the Ideal Gas Law in review of MCAT thermodynamics concepts\" width=\"367\" height=\"309\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2537\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-thermodynamics-graph.png 367w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/MCAT-thermodynamics-graph-300x253.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 367px) 100vw, 367px\" \/>[\/threecol_two]<\/p>\n<p>[threecol_one_last]<\/p>\n<div class = \"sidebar-style3\">\n<ul>\n<li>Adiabatic: U = -W<\/li>\n<li>Isothermal: U = Q<\/li>\n<li>Isovolumetric: Q = -W<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>[\/threecol_one_last]<\/p>\n<h3>State Functions<\/h3>\n<p>States are described as State Functions. Equilibrium is usually measured at Standard conditions or Standard Temperature and Pressure (STP), and equilibrium conditions will be tested on the MCAT.<\/p>\n<p>Standard Conditions: 298K, 1 atm, 1 M concentrations<br \/>\nSTP: 273K, 1 atm<br \/>\nConversion: K = \u00b0C + 273<\/p>\n<p><strong>State Functions<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Pressure (P)<\/li>\n<li>Density (\u03b4)<\/li>\n<li>Temperature (T)<\/li>\n<li>Volume (V)<\/li>\n<li>Enthalpy (H)<\/li>\n<li>Internal Energy (U)<\/li>\n<li>Gibbs free energy (G)<\/li>\n<li>Entropy (S)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Mnemonic device to remember the above: PAT V. HUGS<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Newton&#8217;s First Law<\/h3>\n<p>Newton&#8217;s 1st law = \u25b3U = Q- W<\/p>\n<p>Change in internal energy = heat added into system &#8211; work done by system<\/p>\n<h3>Systems <\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Isolated:<\/strong> No matter or energy exchange (bomb calorimeters)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Closed:<\/strong> Energy exchange only (radiators)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Open:<\/strong> Energy and matter exchange (an open reaction)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Processes<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Adiabatic<\/strong> = no heat exchanged, U = <\/li>\n<li><strong>Isothermal<\/strong> = T is constant<\/li>\n<li><strong>Isovolumetric<\/strong> = V is constant = no work<\/li>\n<li><strong>Isobaric<\/strong> = P is constant<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Phase Diagrams<\/h2>\n<p>Most relevant reactions will take place in standard conditions so Standard enthalpy, entropy, and free energy values will be used.<\/p>\n<p>Terms to remember:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Melting vs Freezing (solid &harr; liquid)<\/li>\n<li>Sublimation vs Deposition (solid &harr; gas)<\/li>\n<li>Vaporization vs Condensation (liquid &harr; gas)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/Phase-Diagrams-MCAT-thermodynamics.png\" alt=\"image of a graph representing phase dynamics in MCAT thermodynamics\" width=\"550\" height=\"402\" class=\"center size-full wp-image-2538\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/Phase-Diagrams-MCAT-thermodynamics.png 550w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/Phase-Diagrams-MCAT-thermodynamics-300x219.png 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 550px) 100vw, 550px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Phase_diagram#\/media\/File:Phase_diagram_of_water_simplified.svg\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Phase diagram image from Wikimedia Commons<\/a><\/p>\n<h2>Heat, Enthalpy, Entropy, and Gibbs Free Energy<\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/Equation-MCAT-thermodynamics.png\" alt=\"an important equation for understanding MCAT thermodynamics concepts\" width=\"310\" height=\"437\" class=\"center size-full wp-image-2539\" srcset=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/Equation-MCAT-thermodynamics.png 310w, https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/files\/2021\/07\/Equation-MCAT-thermodynamics-213x300.png 213w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 310px) 100vw, 310px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3>Heat (Q)<\/h3>\n<p>Heat (Q) &#8211; think of it less as &#8216;temperature&#8217; and more as the kinetic energy of molecules. Q>0, Q&lt;0 means energy added or removed from system, respectively. <\/p>\n<p>Temperature and heat are both related to the kinetic energy of a substance: heat is the exchange of energy between two substances at different temperatures. Heat is measured using calorimetry. <\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Convection<\/strong>: movement in a fluid due to heat transfer, rising of high T fluid, and sinking of low T fluid (gas too)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Conduction<\/strong>: transfer of heat through direct contact<\/li>\n<li><strong>Radiation<\/strong>: transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves; infrared radiation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Heating curves &#8212; measuring the heat absorbed by a compound as its T rises (may include fusion, vaporization).<\/p>\n<h3>Enthalpy (\u25b3H)<\/h3>\n<p>Enthalpy (\u25b3H) &#8212; total heat of a compound usually considered with regards to the formation of chemical compounds or processes with a reaction mechanism. Standard enthalpies will be provided. <\/p>\n<h3>Entropy (\u25b3S)<\/h3>\n<p>Entropy (\u25b3S) &#8212; measure of disorder, but a more accurate definition is the measure of the dispersion of energy.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>2nd Law of Thermodynamics<\/strong>: Tot energy in a system never decreases, entropy is spontaneously maximized<\/li>\n<li>Reactions usually have positive entropy<\/li>\n<li>\u25b3S<sub>gasses<\/sub> > \u25b3S<sub>liquids<\/sub> > \u25b3S<sub>solids<\/sub><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Gibbs Free Energy (\u25b3G)<\/h3>\n<p>For MCAT thermodynamics, this is generally considered a measure of the &#8216;total energy&#8217; in a system or product. <\/p>\n<p>Very important to determine the spontaneity of a reaction:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Spontaneity has no bearing on the <a href=\"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/mcat\/mcat-kinetics\/\">kinetics<\/a> (speed) of a reaction. This can be a pitfall for some of the comprehensive kinetics and thermodynamics MCAT questions.<\/li>\n<li>(+)\u25b3G means reaction is non-spontaneous<\/li>\n<li>(-)\u25b3G means reaction is spontaneous<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<table id=\"tablepress-59\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-59 tablepress-responsive\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1 odd\">\n<th class=\"column-1\">\u25b3G<\/th>\n<th class=\"column-2\">\u25b3H<\/th>\n<th class=\"column-3\">\u25b3S<\/th>\n<th class=\"column-4\">Spontaneous?<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody class=\"row-hover\">\n<tr class=\"row-2 even\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">(+) at low T, (-) at high T<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">+<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-3\">+<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-4\">Yes, at high T<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3 odd\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Always (-)<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">+<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-3\">&#8211;<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-4\">Never<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4 even\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">Always (+)<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">&#8211;<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-3\">+<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-4\">Always<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5 odd\">\n<td class=\"column-1\">(-) at low T, (+) at high T<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-2\">&#8211;<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-3\">&#8211;<\/td>\n<td class=\"column-4\">Yes, at low T<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><!-- #tablepress-59 from cache --><\/p>\n<h2>A Final Word About MCT Thermodynamics Concepts<\/h2>\n<p>As far as thermodynamics MCAT content goes (and really all MCAT content!), remember that the MCAT tests your understanding more than it tests your ability to plug and chug equations. Knowing units and having strong dimensional analysis skills will make answering MCAT thermodynamics questions much easier.<\/p>\n<p>Also, keep in mind that many times, the questions and answers will have hints in the form of units or state functions used that will partially answer the question for you. <\/p>\n<p>Finally, for more MCAT practice, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/mcat.magoosh.com\/?utm_source=mcatblog&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=mcathome&#038;utm_term=inline&#038;utm_content=thermodynamics-mcat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Magoosh\u2019s MCAT prep<\/a>, which includes 380 lessons, 745+ practice questions, personalized email assistance, and more!<\/p>\n<p>Happy studying and good luck!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>An overview of all of the key thermodynamics MCAT concepts you&#8217;ll need to score well on testing day: functions, Gibbs free energy, and more!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":218,"featured_media":2542,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[45],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[2332],"class_list":["post-2535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mcat-chemistry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.7 (Yoast SEO v21.7) - 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She has a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Ph.D. in medical sociology from the University of California, San Francisco, where she earned the Distinguished Dissertation Award in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Kat has been teaching premed and nursing students since 2005 as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco, Bowdoin, and the University of California, Berkeley, while collaborating on multiple research projects and publications. In addition to the MCAT, Kat has taught courses in Research Methods, Gender, Global and Environmental Health, and others. She is passionate about increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in medicine and helping students get into the medical schools of their dreams. 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She has a BA from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Ph.D. in medical sociology from the University of California, San Francisco, where she earned the Distinguished Dissertation Award in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Kat has been teaching premed and nursing students since 2005 as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of San Francisco, Bowdoin, and the University of California, Berkeley, while collaborating on multiple research projects and <a href=\"https:\/\/scholar.google.com\/citations?user=yAi12ZYAAAAJ&amp;hl=en&amp;oi=sra\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">publications<\/a>.  In addition to the MCAT, Kat has taught courses in Research Methods, Gender, Global and Environmental Health, and others. She is passionate about increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in medicine and helping students get into the medical schools of their dreams. 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