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First Law of Thermodynamics Definition

Chemistry Glossary Definition of First Law of Thermodynamics

By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D., About.com

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Definition: The law which states that the total energy of a system and its surroundings remains constant.

Alternate Definition: The change in the energy of a system equals the heat flow in the system from the surroundings minus the work done by the system on the surroundings. Also known as the Law of Conservation of Energy.

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