Abstract
The first principle of thermodynamics states an energy relation for every process that we may consider. But it does not say anything about whether this process might actually occur at all. It is the second principle that faces this problem and provides at the same time a rigorous criterion to decide when a system is in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsPreview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1981 D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, Holland
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Iribarne, J.V., Godson, W.L. (1981). The Second Principle of Thermodynamics. In: Atmospheric Thermodynamics. Geophysics and Astrophysics Monographs, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8509-4_3
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-8509-4_3
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-277-1297-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-8509-4
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive