third law of thermodynamics
- noun
- /θɜrd lɔː ʌv ˌθɜrməˈdɒnəmɪks/
- Specialized
:
tercera ley de la termodinámica
- The third law of thermodynamics explains why entropy becomes minimal at extremely low temperatures.
Examples
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According to the third law of thermodynamics, it is impossible to reach absolute zero in a finite number of steps.
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Scientists rely on the third law of thermodynamics to understand behavior of matter close to absolute zero.
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The third law of thermodynamics is fundamental in physics.
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According to the third law of thermodynamics, absolute zero is unattainable.
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The third law of thermodynamics explains that as a perfect crystal cools to absolute zero, its entropy approaches zero.
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According to the third law of thermodynamics, the entropy of a perfect crystal decreases as the temperature approaches absolute zero.
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Scientists often refer to the third law of thermodynamics when discussing the behavior of materials at very low temperatures.
Surface Forms
Morphology
third + law + of + thermodynamics
The phrase is compositionally built from 'third' + 'law' + 'of thermodynamics', so a learner who knows the words can infer it names the third general law governing thermodynamics (i.e., a numbered scientific principle). However, the specific technical content of that law (entropy → 0 at absolute zero) is specialized knowledge not derivable from the constituents alone, so the relation is only partially transparent.
Etymology
Third law of thermodynamics says that a perfect crystal, a solid where every atom sits in order, has almost no 'entropy' or 'disorder' as the temperature gets close to absolute zero because the tiny motion that makes disorder stops. So the law explains why 'entropy' goes to zero at very low temperature.
