The first law of thermodynamics is given as Δ E int = Q - W , where Δ E int is the change in internal energy of a system, Q is the net heat transfer (the sum of all heat transfer into and out of the system), and W is… There are several simple processes, used by heat engines, that flow from the first law of thermodynamics.

The internal energy E int of a system depends only on the state of the system and not how it reached that state Metabolism of living organisms, and photosynthesis of plants, are specialized types of heat transfer, doing work, and internal energy of systems

first law of thermodynamics — states that the change in internal energy of a system equals the net heat transfer into the system minus the net work done by the system. internal energy — the sum of the kinetic and potential energies of a system’s atoms and molecules. adiabatic process — a process in which no heat transfer takes place. heat engine — a machine that uses heat transfer to do work.