A mathematical theorem as the basis for the second law: Thomson's formulation applied to equilibrium

Abstract

There are several formulations of the second law, and they may, in principle, have different domains of validity. Here a simple mathematical theorem is proven which serves as the most general basis for the second law, namely the Thomson formulation ("cyclic changes cost energy"), applied to equilibrium. This formulation of the second law is a property akin to particle conservation (normalization of the wave function). It has been strictly proven for a canonical ensemble, and made plausible for a micro-canonical ensemble. As the derivation does not assume time-inversion invariance, it is applicable to situations where persistent currents occur. This clear-cut derivation allows to revive the "no perpetuum mobile in equilibrium" formulation of the second law and to criticize some assumptions which are widespread in literature. The result puts recent results devoted to foundations and limitations of the second law in proper perspective, and structurizes this relatively new field of research. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.