Laws of Thermodynamics

Empirical laws that explain the behavior of thermodynamic systems.

0th Law

Defines that temperature is equal for 2 systems in thermal equilibrium.

If 2 systems have the same temperature, then they are in thermal equilibrium.

If systems AA and BB are in thermal equilibrium then any system CC in thermal equilibrium with AA is also in thermal equilibrium with BB.

3rd Law

As the absolute temperature approaches zero, the entropy of a system approaches a constant minimum value.

Establishes that it is impossible to reach absolute zero in a finite number of steps or processes. As a system approaches absolute zero, it becomes increasingly difficult to remove additional heat.

lim⁡T→0S=S0\lim_{T \to 0} S = S_0
Here:
SS
the entropy of the system
S0S_0
the minimum entropy value
TT
the absolute temperature

More of an interest in statistical mechanics; and not much in engineering.

Written by November 3, 2026 1 min read
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