Mike Pauken

Thermodynamics sounds intimidating, and it can be. However, if you focus on the most important thermodynamic formulas and equations, get comfortable converting from one unit of physical measurement to another, and become familiar with the physical constants related to thermodynamics, you’ll be at the head of the class.

Sooner or later, you’re going to have to convert from one unit of physical measurement to another. This list gives you some of the most common conversion factors you need in thermodynamics. Acceleration: 1 m/s2 = 100 cm/s2 Area: 1 m2 = 104 cm2 = 106 mm2 Density: 1 g/cm3 = 1 kg/L = 1,000 kg/m3 Energy, heat, work, internal energy, enthalpy: 1 kJ = 1,000 J = 1,000 N·m = 1 kPa·m3 1 kJ/kg = 1,000 m2/s2 Force: 1 N = 1 kg·m/s2 Length: 1 m = 100 cm = 1,000 mm Mass: 1 kg = 1,000 g Power, heat transfer rate: 1 W = 1 J/s, 1 kW = 1,000 W Pressure: 1 Pa = 1 N/m2, 1 kPa = 1,000 kPa, 1 MPa = 1,000 kPa 1 atmosphere (atm) = 101.

Thermodynamics is filled with equations and formulas. Here’s a list of the most important ones you need to do the calculations necessary for solving thermodynamics problems. Combustion equations: Air-fuel ratio: Hydrocarbon fuel combustion reaction: Compressibility calculations: Compressibility fac