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erronis

(20,396 posts)
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 11:13 AM Friday

Physicist Solves 120-Year-Old Thermodynamics Puzzle and Corrects Einstein

https://scitechdaily.com/physicist-solves-120-year-old-thermodynamics-puzzle-and-corrects-einstein/
By University of Seville

The paper argues that the third principle of thermodynamics follows from the second principle, rather than being a separate or independent concept.

Professor José María Martín-Olalla of the University of Seville has published a paper addressing a thermodynamics problem that has remained unresolved for 120 years. In doing so, he corrects an idea proposed by Albert Einstein more than a century ago.

The paper links Nernst’s theorem, an experimental observation from 1905 stating that entropy exchanges approach zero as temperature approaches zero, directly to the second principle of thermodynamics. Published in The European Physical Journal Plus, the study extends the implications of the second principle, which states that entropy in the universe tends to increase.

The historical problem of absolute zero

The problem surrounding Nernst’s theorem emerged in the early 20th century, during investigations into how matter behaves at temperatures near absolute zero (minus 273 degrees Celsius). Walther Nernst received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1920 for his contributions to this field.

To explain his findings, Nernst argued that absolute zero must be unreachable. Otherwise, one could theoretically construct an engine that uses absolute zero as a coolant to convert all heat into work, violating the principle that entropy always increases. He used this reasoning to formally state his theorem in 1912.

Soon after, Albert Einstein challenged the argument by noting that such an engine could not actually be built, and therefore it posed no real threat to the second law of thermodynamics. As a result, Einstein separated Nernst’s theorem from the second principle and classified it as a third, independent principle. That interpretation has now been overturned.

. . .

Reference: “Proof of the Nernst theorem” by Jose-María Martín-Olalla, 13 June 2025, The European Physical Journal Plus.
DOI: 10.1140/epjp/s13360-025-06503-w
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Physicist Solves 120-Year-Old Thermodynamics Puzzle and Corrects Einstein (Original Post) erronis Friday OP
I've heard that the three Laws of Thermodynamics, paraphrased, are Bernardo de La Paz Friday #1
Cool. lastlib Friday #2
Very punny! Blue Ozarks Friday #6
I'll check the paper out when I get home from work. The laws of thermodyamics... NNadir Friday #3
Everything that exists is in entropy. marble falls Friday #4
Entropy and the second law professor_gains Friday #5

Bernardo de La Paz

(56,736 posts)
1. I've heard that the three Laws of Thermodynamics, paraphrased, are
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 11:17 AM
Friday

1. You can't win.
2. You can't break even.
3. You can't get out of the game.

NNadir

(36,095 posts)
3. I'll check the paper out when I get home from work. The laws of thermodyamics...
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 12:07 PM
Friday

...are very unpopular at DU, which is why we hear so much bullshit about batteries and worse, hydrogen.

Unhappily for our "renewable energy will save us" types who confuse energy storage with energy and environmental wisdom - wrong on both counts - the laws of thermodynamics are not affected by wishful thinking.

It may be impossible to reach absolute zero - other than the metaphorical absolute zero in the White House - but it is also impossible to "correct" Einstein, based on the fact that he's dead. One can of course address his ideas which survive him, but not him. A technical quibble perhaps but nonetheless valid.

Thanks for the post.

professor_gains

(2 posts)
5. Entropy and the second law
Fri Jun 27, 2025, 01:25 PM
Friday

All natural processes are irreversible, and thus lead to an increase in entropy of the universe.

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