View source for Third law of thermodynamics



{{TermHeader}}
{{TermSearch}}

<div class="termentry">
  <div class="term">
== third law of thermodynamics ==
  </div>

<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">The statement that every substance has a finite positive [[entropy]],  and the entropy of a crystalline substance is zero at the [[temperature]] of [[absolute zero]].</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">Modern [[quantum theory]] has shown that the entropy of crystals at 0 K is not necessarily zero.  If the [[crystal]] has any asymmetry, it may exist in more than one state; and there is, in addition,  an entropy residue deriving from nuclear spin. <br/>''See'' [[thermodynamic probability]].</div><br/> </div>
</div>

{{TermIndex}}
{{TermFooter}}

[[Category:Terms_T]]