Foundation of Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics emerged in the mid-1800s as engineers sought to understand the conversion of energy forms, such as steam into mechanical work and streams into electrical energy. This inquiry led to the establishment of the three foundational laws of thermodynamics, which have become essential to modern physics and our daily lives. The first law maintains energy conservation, the second law introduces the concept of entropy, and the third law addresses the impossibility of reaching absolute zero temperature. These laws have been crucial in framing our understanding of energy transformations, efficiency, and the nature of heat and work.