law of thermodynamics

noun

1. any of three principles variously stated in equivalent forms, being the principle that the change of energy of a thermodynamic system is equal to the heat transferred minus the work done first law of thermodynamics, the principle that no cyclic process is possible in which heat is absorbed from a reservoir at a single temperature and converted completely into mechanical work second law of thermodynamics, and the principle that it is impossible to reduce the temperature of a system to absolute zero in a finite number of operations third law of thermodynamics.
2. zeroth law of thermodynamics.

law of thermodynamics

noun

1. any of three principles governing the relationships between different forms of energy. The first law of thermodynamics (law of conservation of energy) states that the change in the internal energy of a system is equal to the sum of the heat added to the system and the work done on it. The second law of thermodynamics states that heat cannot be transferred from a colder to a hotter body within a system without net changes occurring in other bodies within that system; in any irreversible process, entropy always increases. The third law of thermodynamics (Nernst heat theorem) states that it is impossible to reduce the temperature of a system to absolute zero in a finite number of steps
2. Also calledzeroth law of thermodynamics the principle that if two bodies are each in thermal equilibrium with a third body then the first two bodies are in thermal equilibrium with each other

law of thermodynamics

1. See under thermodynamics

Example Sentences

In brief, the model takes into account the laws of thermodynamics and the turbulent motion of the droplets.

From Science Daily

Further studies are necessary before we can definitely state that the second law of infodynamics is as fundamental as the second law of thermodynamics.

From Salon

To join the known physics laws of thermodynamics, electromagnetism and Newton’s laws of motion and gravity, the nine scientists and philosophers behind the paper propose their “law of increasing functional information.”

From Salon

This is a basic law of thermodynamics: heat moves to where it’s colder.

From Seattle Times

But it takes energy to make change, and so information and energy are endlessly swapping back and forth, all described by the laws of thermodynamics.

From Scientific American