In aircraft design and engineering, “internal energy” refers to the total energy contained within a fluid (such as air) due to its molecular motion and intermolecular forces. It’s a fundamental thermodynamic property that contributes to the overall energy state of the fluid.
The formula for calculating the internal energy (U) can be defined as:
U = Mass × Specific Internal EnergyWhere:
- U is the internal energy, typically measured in joules (J) or other energy units.
- Mass represents the mass of the fluid, typically measured in kilograms (kg) or other mass units.
- Specific Internal Energy is the internal energy per unit mass of the fluid, typically measured in joules per kilogram (J/kg).