Instrumentation concepts indirect measuring instruments

The concept of equilibrium is central in thermodynamics, for associated with the condition of internal eqmlibrium is the concept of. state. A system has an identifiable, reproducible state when 1 its propei ties, such as temperature T, pressure P, and molar volume are fixed. The concepts oi state a.ndpropeity are again coupled. One can equally well say that the properties of a system are fixed by its state. Although the properties T, P, and V may be detected with measuring instruments, the existence of the primitive thermodynamic properties (see Postulates I and 3 following) is recognized much more indirectly. The number of properties for wdiich values must be specified in order to fix the state of a system depends on the nature of the system and is ultimately determined from experience. 

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