Which branch of thermodynamics looks at a system's starting parameters and predicts equilibrium conditions?

The branch of thermodynamics focused on examining a system's initial parameters and determining its equilibrium state is equilibrium thermodynamics. This area of study primarily deals with systems that are in a steady state, where macroscopic properties such as temperature, pressure, and chemical potential do not change over time. It utilizes fundamental concepts like the laws of thermodynamics and state functions to analyze and predict how a system will behave as it approaches equilibrium.

Equilibrium thermodynamics applies principles such as the laws of energy conservation and the behavior of ideal gases, allowing for the calculation of changes in energy, entropy, and other thermodynamic properties at equilibrium. By focusing on states of balance and stability, this branch aids in understanding how systems respond to conditions like temperature or pressure changes, leading to the prediction of final states based on initial conditions.

While other branches such as statistical thermodynamics examine the microscopic properties and distributions of particles to explain macroscopic behavior, and classical thermodynamics focuses on the traditional laws and phenomena without delving into particle specifics, it is equilibrium thermodynamics that explicitly addresses how systems reach and maintain steady states. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics, on the other hand, studies systems that are not at equilibrium and understand the dynamics involved in processes that proceed towards equilibrium.