Topic summary
Thermodynamic work
Extracted from the Wikipedia article Work (thermodynamics).
Work done by and on a simple thermodynamic system
Thermodynamic work and ordinary mechanical work are to be distinguished. Thermodynamic work is defined by the changes of the thermodynamic system's own internal state variables, such as volume, electric polarization, and magnetization, but excluding temperature and entropy. Ordinary mechanical work includes work done by compression, as well as shaft work, stirring, and rubbing; but shaft work, stirring, and rubbing are not thermodynamic work in so far as they do not change the volume of the system, though they change the temperature or entropy of the system. Work without change of volume is known as isochoric work, for example when friction acts on the surface or in the interior of the system.