Which of the following is a statement of the third law of thermodynamics?
A) If two objects are in equilibrium with a third, then they are in thermal equilibrium with one another.
B) The entropy of the universe cannot decrease.
C) The entropy of the universe cannot increase.
D) All reversible engines operating between the same two temperatures have the same efficiency.
E) It is impossible to lower the temperature of an object to absolute zero in a finite number of steps.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The third law of thermodynamics states that it is impossible to lower the temperature of an object to absolute zero in a finite number of steps. This is because as the temperature of an object approaches absolute zero, its entropy approaches a minimum value, which is known as the third law limit. Therefore, choice E is the statement of the third law of thermodynamics. Choices A, B, C, and D are statements of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. Choice A is a statement of thermal equilibrium, choice B is a statement of the second law of thermodynamics, choice C is the opposite of choice B, and choice D is a statement of the efficiency of a reversible engine.

Which of the Following Is a Statement of the Third