Chapter 4: LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS

Environmental Science

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the chapter, students should be able to:

 Discuss the four laws of thermodynamics.

Thermodynamics - comes from the Greek words "therme" which means heat and "dynamikos" which means force,
or power.

Thermodynamics is a branch of science which deals with the study of heat and temperature and their relation to
other forms of energy. It applies to a variety of science and engineering topics such as chemical, physical, and
mechanical engineering.

Laws of Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics laws define the fundamental physical quantities like energy, temperature and entropy that
characterize thermodynamic systems at thermal equilibrium. These thermodynamics laws represent how these
quantities behave under various circumstances.

There are four laws of thermodynamics and are given below:

1. Zeroth law of thermodynamics

2. First law of thermodynamics
3. Second law of thermodynamics
4. Third law of thermodynamics

1. Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

The Zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two bodies are individually in equilibrium with a separate third body,
then the first two bodies are also in thermal equilibrium with each other.

This means that if system A is in thermal equilibrium with system C and system B is also in equilibrium with system C,
then system A and B are also in thermal equilibrium.

An example demonstrating the Zeroth Law

2. First Law of Thermodynamics

First law of thermodynamics, also known as the law of conservation of energy, states that energy can neither be
created nor destroyed, but it can be changed from one form to another.

2nd sem SY 21-22: ENVI SCIENCE / ANN 1

3. Second Law of Thermodynamics

Second law of thermodynamics states that the entropy in an isolated system always increases. Any isolated system
spontaneously evolves towards thermal equilibrium—the state of maximum entropy of the system.

The entropy of the universe only increases and never decreases. Many individuals take this statement lightly and for
granted, but it has an extensive impact and consequence.

The second law of thermodynamics means hot things always cool unless you do something to stop them.

4. Third Law of Thermodynamics

Third law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a system approaches a constant value as the temperature
approaches absolute zero.

Entropy

Entropy - is the total energy inside the substance, which is not available for work during thermodynamic process. It
can be considered as the internal energy of the substance, which depends on the movement of molecules inside the
substance. The more the movement of the molecules, the more the entropy. As the temperature of the substance
increases, the movement of the molecules inside the substance also increases and with it the entropy of the
substance also increases.

Absolute Zero Temperature

We know zero degree Celsius temperature, it is the temperature at which water gets converted into ice, and hence it is
also called freezing point temperature of water. There are many gases like helium, hydrogen that can be cooled to
temperatures much below zero degrees Celsius and at certain level they get liquefied. The lowest temperature, to
which all the substances or gases can be cooled to, is called as absolute zero temperature. There cannot be any
temperature below this point and at this temperature all the movements of all the molecules within the substance stop.

Third Law Of Thermodynamics Examples:

Let us consider steam as an example to understand the third law of thermodynamics step by step:

The molecules within it move freely and have high entropy.

1. If one decreases the temperature below 100 °C, the steam gets converted to water, where the movement of
molecules is restricted, decreasing the entropy of water.
2. When water is further cooled below 0 °C, it gets converted to solid ice. In this state, the movement of
molecules is further restricted and the entropy of the system reduces more.
3. As the temperature of the ice further reduces, the movement of the molecules in them are restricted further
and the entropy of the substance goes on decreasing.
4. When the ice is cooled to absolute zero, ideally, the entropy should be zero. But in reality, it is impossible to
cool any substance to zero.

2nd sem SY 21-22: ENVI SCIENCE / ANN 2