A Simple, Unified Approach to the First and Second Laws of thermodynamics

Abstract

The article gives a new verbal formulation of the second law of thermodynamics. It is claimed that the physical content of this statement as well as the derivation of the mathematical consequences normally referred to as the first and second parts of the second law are simpler and more easily grasped by beginners than the standard formulations. The argument is so designed as to be closely modelled on one which pertains to the derivation of the mathematical formulation of the first law. © 1970, Walter de Gruyter. All rights reserved.