A thermodynamic system is a part of the physical universe with a specified boundary for observation. A system contains a substance with a large amount of molecules or atoms, and is formed by a geometrical volume of macroscopic dimensions subjected to controlled experimental conditions.
An ideal thermodynamic system is a model system with simplifications to represent a real system that can be described by the theoretical thermodynamics approach. A simple system is a single state system with no internal boundaries, and is not subject to external force fields or inertial forces. A composite system, however, has at least two simple systems separated by a barrier restrictive to one form of energy or matter.
The boundary of the volume separates the system from its surroundings. A system may be taken through a complete cycle of states, in which its final state is the same as its original state.
