second law of thermodynamics: Quick Facts

Written and fact-checked by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Photos and Videos

Rudolf Clausius

What are the laws of thermodynamics?

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Maxwell’s demon equilibrium entropy Carnot cycle laws of thermodynamics first law of thermodynamics

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

thermodynamics: The second law of thermodynamics

Key People

Rudolf Clausius

Rudolf Clausius

German mathematician and physicist