Macroscopic and Microscopic Approaches | Concept of continuum
Macroscopic and Microscopic Approaches
The behaviour of matter can be studied by two approaches
1. Macroscopic approach, 2. Microscopic approach
1. Macroscopic approach – In the macroscopic approach a certain quantity of matter is considered for study without knowing the behaviour of individual molecules. This macroscopic approach to study the behaviour of matter is called classical thermodynamics. This approach is used in energy transformation involving work, heat and matter
2. Microscopic approach-In microscopic approach the properties of matter is studied by summing up the behaviour of individual molecules. This microscope approach to study the behaviour of matter is called statistical thermodynamics. This approach is used in kinetics theory and statistical mechanics
Concept of continuum
In the study if classical thermodynamics, the substance is viewed as continuous, homogeneous without microscopic gaps. Such substance is treated as continuum. This idealisation is valid as long as the displacement volumes are large compared to inter-molecular spacings.