law of thermodynamics

noun

Medical Definition of law of thermodynamics

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

Learn More about law of thermodynamics

Dictionary Entries near law of thermodynamics

law of refraction

law of segregation

law of the minimum

law of thermodynamics

lawrencium

lax

laxation

Cite this Entry

“Law of thermodynamics.” Merriam-Webster.com Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/law%20of%20thermodynamics. Accessed 6 May. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA