This document defines key concepts in thermodynamics including systems, surroundings, boundaries, and different types of systems. It explains that a thermodynamic system is the quantity of matter or region being studied, while the surroundings are the mass or region outside the system. A boundary separates the system and surroundings. Systems can be closed, open, or isolated depending on whether mass and/or energy are transferred across the boundary. Closed systems allow energy transfer but not mass transfer, open systems allow both, and isolated systems allow neither. Control volumes refer to open systems of fixed volume where both mass and energy can cross the boundary or control surface.