The Third Law of Thermodynamics: Difference between revisions

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==The Main Idea==
==The Main Idea==


This page describes the Third Law of Thermodynamics, which relates the absolute entropy of a system to its temperature. This principle is used to understand the behavior of materials at very low temperatures.
The Third Law of Thermodynamics states that the entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero temperature is exactly zero.
 
Entropy (<math>S</math>) is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system.
 
Temperature (<math>T</math>) is measured in Kelvin.
 
The principle can be expressed as:
 
<math>S \rightarrow 0 \quad \text{as} \quad T \rightarrow 0 , \text{K}</math>
 
where:
 
<math>S</math> is the entropy of the system,
 
<math>T</math> is the absolute temperature.
 
This implies that as a system approaches absolute zero, its thermal motion ceases, and it reaches a unique ground state with minimal disorder.
 
 




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What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic.  For example <math>{\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net}</math> where '''p''' is the momentum of the system and '''F''' is the net force from the surroundings.
What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic.  For example <math>{\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net}</math> where '''p''' is the momentum of the system and '''F''' is the net force from the surroundings.


===A Computational Model===
===A Computational Model===


How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here [https://trinket.io/glowscript/31d0f9ad9e Teach hands-on with GlowScript]
How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here [https://trinket.io/glowscript/31d0f9ad9e Teach hands-on with GlowScript]


==Examples==
==Examples==
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===Middling===
===Middling===
===Difficult===
===Difficult===


==Connectedness==
==Connectedness==
Line 29: Line 59:
#How is it connected to your major?
#How is it connected to your major?
#Is there an interesting industrial application?
#Is there an interesting industrial application?


==History==
==History==


Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.


== See also ==
== See also ==


Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore?  How does this topic fit into that context?
Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore?  How does this topic fit into that context?


===Further reading===
===Further reading===


Books, Articles or other print media on this topic
Books, Articles or other print media on this topic


===External links===
===External links===


Internet resources on this topic
Internet resources on this topic


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 21:23, 2 December 2025

Claimed by Emma Gele, Fall 2024

This page describes the Third Law of Thermodynamics, which relates the absolute entropy of a system to its temperature. This principle is used to understand the behavior of materials at very low temperatures.


The Main Idea

The Third Law of Thermodynamics states that the entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero temperature is exactly zero.

Entropy ([math]\displaystyle{ S }[/math]) is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system.

Temperature ([math]\displaystyle{ T }[/math]) is measured in Kelvin.

The principle can be expressed as:

[math]\displaystyle{ S \rightarrow 0 \quad \text{as} \quad T \rightarrow 0 , \text{K} }[/math]

where:

[math]\displaystyle{ S }[/math] is the entropy of the system,

[math]\displaystyle{ T }[/math] is the absolute temperature.

This implies that as a system approaches absolute zero, its thermal motion ceases, and it reaches a unique ground state with minimal disorder.



A Mathematical Model

What are the mathematical equations that allow us to model this topic. For example [math]\displaystyle{ {\frac{d\vec{p}}{dt}}_{system} = \vec{F}_{net} }[/math] where p is the momentum of the system and F is the net force from the surroundings.



A Computational Model

How do we visualize or predict using this topic. Consider embedding some vpython code here Teach hands-on with GlowScript



Examples

Be sure to show all steps in your solution and include diagrams whenever possible

Simple

Middling

Difficult

Connectedness

  1. How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
  2. How is it connected to your major?
  3. Is there an interesting industrial application?



History

Put this idea in historical context. Give the reader the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.



See also

Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore? How does this topic fit into that context?



Further reading

Books, Articles or other print media on this topic



External links

Internet resources on this topic



References

This section contains the the references you used while writing this page