Nernst's Theorem, also known as the third law of thermodynamics, states that as the temperature of a system approaches absolute zero, its entropy approaches a constant minimum value, independent of any other parameters describing the system, such as pressure or applied magnetic field. Named for Walther Nernst, it is a foundational principle of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, with the consequence that absolute zero itself can never actually be reached by any finite physical process.
Facts
StatementAs absolute zero is approached, the entropy change for a chemical or physical transformation approaches zero. 1 Classification
Statement FormCharacterization Theorem 1 Connections
Has Statement Form
Entity-backed identity for the statement-form enum value this theorem already carries, resolved to a mathematics concept by an explicit value-to-entity map (phase 3 bucket conversion, docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md). The statement-form fact itself stays on the theorem unchanged.
Sources
1. Nernst heat theorem (Wikipedia)
IntroductionQuote, Introduction
The Nernst heat theorem says that as absolute zero is approached, the entropy change ΔS for a chemical or physical transformation approaches 0.
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