(1) System : The portion of the universe under thermo-dynamic consideration to study thermodynamic properties is called a system.

Explanation :

• As such any portion of the universe under thermodynamic consideration is a system. The thermodynamic consideration involves the study of thermodynamic parameters like pressure, volume, temperature, energy, etc.
• The system may be very small or very large
• The system is confined by a real or an imaginary boundary.

(2) Surroundings : The remaining portion of the universe other than under thermodynamics study i.e„ the system is called the surroundings.

Explanation :

• Surroundings represent a large stock of mass and energy and can be exchanged with the system when allowed.
• For a liquid in an open vessel, the surrounding atmosphere around it represents the surroundings.

(3) Boundary : The wall or interface separating the system from its surrounding is called a boundary.

Explanation :

• This boundary may be either real or imaginary.
• Through this boundary, exchange of heat and matter between the system and surroundings can take place, e.g. when a liquid is placed in a beaker the walls of beaker represent real boundaries while open portion of the beaker is imaginary boundary.
• Everything outside the boundary represents surroundings.