In the adiabatic process defined in this section, a system, such as a thermally insulated beaker containing water, is analyzed for changes in internal energy without heat exchange with the environment. By performing work on this system in two ways—mechanical work (e.g., churning water) and electrical work (using an immersion rod)—it demonstrates that the internal energy change (∆U) is directly correlated to the work done (wad). J. P. Joule's experiments established that the amount of work done on the system results in the same temperature change regardless of the method, reinforcing the definition of internal energy as a state function. Moreover, the section explains the sign conventions in thermodynamics and compares other familiar state functions like volume (V), pressure (p), and temperature (T), noting how changes in these quantities are independent of the process undertaken to achieve them.