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
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Source Nernst heat theorem (Wikipedia)
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1. Nernst heat theorem (Wikipedia)
Introduction
The Nernst heat theorem says that as absolute zero is approached, the entropy change ΔS for a chemical or physical transformation approaches 0.
In Group: Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Lead section
and was used in the development of the third law of thermodynamics.
In Branch: Mathematical Physics, Lead section
twentieth century and was used in the development of the third law of thermodynamics.
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