law of thermodynamics

noun

1
: conservation of energy

called also first law of thermodynamics

2
: a law in physics: mechanical work can be derived from the heat in a body only when the body is able to communicate with another at a lower temperature or all actual spontaneous processes result in an increase of total entropy

called also second law of thermodynamics

3
: a law in physics: at the absolute zero of temperature the entropy of any pure crystalline substance is zero and its derivative with respect to temperature is zero

called also third law of thermodynamics

Dictionary Entries Near law of thermodynamics

Cite this Entry

“Law of thermodynamics.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/law%20of%20thermodynamics. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!