What is the second law of thermodynamics?

Last updated on June 13th, 2020 at 08:37 pm

Second law of thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics has Kelvin-Planck statement and Kelvin-Clausius statement. They are stated below.

Kelvin-Planck statement 

Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law states that, it is impossible to get a continuous supply of work from a body which can transfer heat with a single heat reservoir.

Kelvin-Clausius Statement

Kelvin-Clausius statement has two parts; Kelvin part and Clausius part. They are stated below.

          Kelvin part It is impossible to get a continuous supply of work from a body by cooling it to a temperature lower than that of its surroundings.

          Clausius part It is impossible to make heat flow from a body at a lower temperature to a body at a higher temperature without doing external work on the working substance.

Read Next:

1. Read about the first law of thermodynamics here.