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Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics

Experimentally, if object A is in equilibrium with object B, and object B is in equilibrium with object C, then object A is in equilibrium with object C. That statement of transitivity is called the "zeroth law of thermodynamics." For example, a cold metal block and a hot metal block are both placed on a metal plate at room temperature. Eventually, the cold block and the plate will be in thermal equilibrium. In addition, the hot block and the plate will be in thermal equilibrium.

Thermodynamic Systems

Thermodynamic Systems

A thermodynamic system is a set of objects whose thermodynamic properties are of interest. The system is considered to be embedded in its surroundings or the environment. The system and its environment can exchange heat and do work on each other through a boundary that separates them. However, the immediate surroundings of the system interact with it directly and therefore have a much stronger influence on its behavior and properties.
Consider an example of tea boiling in a kettle. The...

Statements of the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Statements of the Second Law of Thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics can be stated in several different ways, and all of them can be shown to imply the others. The Clausius’ statement of the second law of thermodynamics is based on the irreversibility of spontaneous heat flow. It states that heat will not flow from the colder body to the hotter body unless some other process is involved. Additionally, as per the Kelvin’s statement, it is impossible to convert the heat from a single source into work without any other...

Heat and Free Expansion

Heat and Free Expansion

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First Law of Thermodynamics

First Law of Thermodynamics

A change in the internal energy of a system depends on the the net heat transfer into the system and the net work done by the system. The first law of thermodynamics, which is a generalized form of energy conservation, relates these three quantities mathematically. It states that the change in the internal energy equals the difference between the heat transfer and work done by the system.
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Adiabatic Processes for an Ideal Gas

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When an ideal gas is compressed adiabatically, that is, without adding heat, work is done on it, and its temperature increases. In an adiabatic expansion, the gas does work, and its temperature drops. Adiabatic compressions actually occur in the cylinders of a car, where the compressions of the gas-air mixture take place so quickly that there is no time for the mixture to exchange heat with its environment. Nevertheless, because work is done on the mixture during the compression, its...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Simulation and Analysis of the Temperature Rise of Ring Main Unit Equipment

Author Spotlight: Simulation and Analysis of the Temperature Rise of Ring Main Unit Equipment

Published on: July 5, 2024

Thermodynamics of an Empty Box.

Georg J Schmitz¹, Michael Te Vrugt², Tore Haug-Warberg³

¹MICRESS Group, ACCESS e.V., Intzestr. 5, D-52072 Aachen, Germany.

Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)

|February 25, 2023

Summary

This study treats an empty box as a thermodynamic system, revealing its geometric degrees of freedom. This approach connects fundamental physics concepts like mechanics and relativity to thermodynamics.

Keywords:

Euler homogeneity Lorentz factor ToE Unruh temperature anisotropic Hubble parameter black-hole entropy classical mechanics quantized space quantum mechanics

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Last Updated: Aug 9, 2025

Author Spotlight: Simulation and Analysis of the Temperature Rise of Ring Main Unit Equipment

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Published on: July 5, 2024

Design and Optimization Strategies of a High-Performance Vented Box

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Published on: June 9, 2023

Characterization of Thermal Transport in One-dimensional Solid Materials

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Published on: January 26, 2014

Area of Science:

Thermodynamics
Statistical Mechanics
Theoretical Physics

Background:

The 'gas in a box' model is foundational in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
Existing research typically focuses on the gas, treating the box as mere confinement.
This work shifts focus to the box itself as the primary system of study.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a thermodynamic theory centered on the geometric degrees of freedom of an empty box.
To explore the connections between the thermodynamics of an empty box and other areas of physics.

Main Methods:

Treating the geometric degrees of freedom of the box as thermodynamic degrees of freedom.
Applying standard mathematical methods to the thermodynamics of an empty box.
Deriving equations based on this novel thermodynamic framework.

Main Results:

Equations derived for the empty box exhibit structural similarities to those in cosmology, classical mechanics, and quantum mechanics.
The model system demonstrates unexpected links to classical mechanics, special relativity, and quantum field theory.
A new perspective on the thermodynamic properties of geometric confinement is established.

Conclusions:

The empty box, when treated thermodynamically, serves as a powerful and versatile model system.
This approach bridges thermodynamics with fundamental theories across classical and modern physics.
Geometric thermodynamics offers novel insights into the nature of physical systems and their interactions.