Thermodynamics studies the relationship between heat and energy, with four laws. The zero law states that systems in thermal equilibrium with a third system are in equilibrium with each other. The first law states that energy is conserved, while the second law states that heat cannot flow from a lower to a higher temperature without work. The third law states that entropy approaches zero as temperature approaches absolute zero.
Thermodynamics is the area of science that includes the relationship between heat and other types of energy. Thermodynamics has been discovered and studied since the 1800s. At that time it was linked and gained importance thanks to the use of steam engines.
Thermodynamics can be divided into four laws. Although added to the laws of thermodynamics after the other three laws, the zero law is usually discussed first. It states that if two systems are in thermal equilibrium with a third system, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other. In other words, if two systems have the same temperature as a third system, then all three have the same temperatures.
The first law of thermodynamics states that the total energy of a system remains constant, even as it is converted from one form to another. For example, kinetic energy, the energy an object possesses when it moves, is converted into heat energy when a driver hits the car’s brakes to slow it down. There are often catchphrases to help people remember the first law of thermodynamics: “Work is heat and heat is work.” Basically, work and heat are equivalent.
The second law of thermodynamics is one of the most basic laws of science. It states that heat cannot flow from a system at a lower temperature to a system at a higher temperature of its own accord. For such an action to occur, work must be done. If an ice cube is placed in a cup of hot water, the ice cube melts as the heat from the water flows into it. The end result is a slightly cooler cup of water. Ice cubes can only form if energy is used.
Another example of the second law only working when energy is added can be seen with an older refrigerator. In this case, cooling the inside of the refrigerator heats up the outside. So, the work is done and the work is done. The work is completed by the refrigerator pump.
The second law of thermodynamics also says that things can wear out. For example, if an adobe home is left untreated, it will eventually collapse due to wind, rain, cold, and other weather conditions. However, if a pile of bricks is left unattended, it will never form a house, unless you add some work into the mix.
The third law of thermodynamics states that the change in entropy of a system as it converts from one form to another approaches zero as its temperature approaches zero on the Kelvin scale. Zero on the Kelvin scale is the absolute lower limit of temperature, when atoms and molecules have the least possible energy. Entropy is defined as the availability of a system’s energy to do work. Hence, it follows that there is an absolute scale of entropy. Consequently, no real system will ever reach zero degrees on the Kelvin scale.
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