Marcelo Alonso

On the notion of internal energy

The notion of internal energy at a level appropriate for students of the Introductory Physics Course (IPC) is examined. The methodology proposed offers a general frame for analysing practically any physical system or process in a system of particles, from thermal phenomena and phase transitions to chemical and nuclear reactions, including processes involving elementary particles. The role of interactions among particles in a system is emphasized. The notion of statistical equilibrium of a system is discussed in this context. Finally, two structure factors are introduced to show the relation between the kinetic, interaction and particle energies of a system in maintaining stable structures.

Issues Related to the Growth of Electricity in Global Energy Demand

Since the subject of this international conference is “Global Energy Demand in Transition: The New Role of Electricity,” it is most appropriate that the first technical sessions deal with the foreseeable expansion of the global market for electricity and the factors that drive the evolution of the market shares of energy sources and uses (which are different, though related, issues).