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The fundamental laws of thermodynamics are pivotal in physics, defining how energy and matter interact. These laws outline the principles of temperature equilibrium, energy conservation, entropy increase, and the implications of approaching absolute zero. They are integral to understanding the limitations of energy conversion, the directionality of processes, and the impossibility of perpetual motion machines. The historical evolution of these principles showcases contributions from Carnot, Clausius, Kelvin, and Nernst.
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Thermal equilibrium is the condition where a system's temperature remains constant because it is not exchanging energy with its environment
The zeroth law of thermodynamics establishes a fundamental criterion for temperature measurement by stating that if two systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third system, they are in thermal equilibrium with each other
The zeroth law of thermodynamics is the basis for the concept of thermal equilibrium, which is essential for the construction of thermometers
The first law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of energy conservation, posits that the total energy of an isolated system is constant
The first law of thermodynamics introduces the concept of internal energy as a key component of a system's total energy
The first law of thermodynamics rules out the possibility of a perpetual motion machine of the first kind, which would operate indefinitely without an energy source
The second law of thermodynamics introduces entropy as a quantitative measure of a system's disorder or randomness
The second law of thermodynamics explains the directionality of processes and the natural tendency towards equilibrium and disorder
The second law of thermodynamics establishes that heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder to a hotter body, which has profound implications for the efficiency of heat engines and refrigerators
The third law of thermodynamics states that as the temperature of a system approaches absolute zero, the entropy of the system approaches a minimum value
The third law of thermodynamics has significant implications for the behavior of substances near absolute zero
The third law of thermodynamics provides a reference point for the entropy scale and implies that it is impossible to reach absolute zero in a finite number of steps