Second Law[edit]
The second law of thermodynamics states: Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder
location to a hotter location.[20]
This law is an expression of the universal principle of decay observable in nature. The second
law is an observation of the fact that over time, differences in temperature, pressure, and
chemical potential tend to even out in a physical system that is isolated from the outside
world. Entropy is a measure of how much this process has progressed. The entropy of an
isolated system which is not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a
maximum value at equilibrium. However, principles guiding systems that are far from equilibrium
are still debatable. One of such principles is the maximum entropy production principle.[28][29] It
states that non-equilibrium systems behave such a way as to maximize its entropy production.[30]
In classical thermodynamics, the second law is a basic postulate applicable to any system
involving heat energy transfer; in statistical thermodynamics, the second law is a consequence of
the assumed randomness of molecular chaos. There are many versions of the second law, but
they all have the same effect, which is to express the phenomenon of irreversibility in nature.
Third Law[edit]
The third law of thermodynamics states: As the temperature of a system approaches absolute
zero, all processes cease and the entropy of the system approaches a minimum value.
This law of thermodynamics is a statistical law of nature regarding entropy and the impossibility
of reaching absolute zero of temperature. This law provides an absolute reference point for the
determination of entropy. The entropy determined relative to this point is the absolute entropy.
Alternate definitions include "the entropy of all systems and of all states of a system is smallest at
absolute zero," or equivalently "it is impossible to reach the absolute zero of temperature by any
finite number of processes".
Absolute zero, at which all activity would stop if it were possible to achieve, is −273.15 °C
(degrees Celsius), or −459.67 °F (degrees Fahrenheit), or 0 K (kelvin), or 0° R
(degrees Rankine).
System models
Second Law[edit]
The second law of thermodynamics states: Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder
location to a hotter location.[20]
This law is an expression of the universal principle of decay observable in nature. The second
law is an observation of the fact that over time, differences in temperature, pressure, and
chemical potential tend to even out in a physical system that is isolated from the outside
world. Entropy is a measure of how much this process has progressed. The entropy of an
isolated system which is not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a
maximum value at equilibrium. However, principles guiding systems that are far from equilibrium
are still debatable. One of such principles is the maximum entropy production principle.[28][29] It
states that non-equilibrium systems behave such a way as to maximize its entropy production.[30]
In classical thermodynamics, the second law is a basic postulate applicable to any system
involving heat energy transfer; in statistical thermodynamics, the second law is a consequence of
the assumed randomness of molecular chaos. There are many versions of the second law, but
they all have the same effect, which is to express the phenomenon of irreversibility in nature.
Third Law[edit]
The third law of thermodynamics states: As the temperature of a system approaches absolute
zero, all processes cease and the entropy of the system approaches a minimum value.
This law of thermodynamics is a statistical law of nature regarding entropy and the impossibility
of reaching absolute zero of temperature. This law provides an absolute reference point for the
determination of entropy. The entropy determined relative to this point is the absolute entropy.
Alternate definitions include "the entropy of all systems and of all states of a system is smallest at
absolute zero," or equivalently "it is impossible to reach the absolute zero of temperature by any
finite number of processes".
Absolute zero, at which all activity would stop if it were possible to achieve, is −273.15 °C
(degrees Celsius), or −459.67 °F (degrees Fahrenheit), or 0 K (kelvin), or 0° R
(degrees Rankine).
System models
