Isolated Systems

[Natasha Sutkin 2B]

How do you create a completely isolated system? It seems as though it would be hard to create a system in which no matter or heat could escape. Are calorimeters create a completely isolated system or are they just simplified down to be considered isolated? In thermodynamic labs how would they make a fully isolated system?

[Andrew Nguyen 3L]

From what I heard from the lecture, I believe a measurable, completely isolated system is very hard to achieve, but I believe Dr. Lavelle mentioned that the the universe as a whole is an isolated system. This also follows the first law of thermodynamics that energy cannot be created or destroyed in the universe because the internal energy of the universe remains constant.

[emmavandal1K]

Hi! From my understanding, isolated systems do not occur naturally and are more theoretical than anything. I think the closest one can get to an isolated system is through the calorimeter as Dr. Lavelle mentioned.