A non-mathematical outline of thermodynamics
Robert H.B. Exell
<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>A simple qualitative presentation of the laws of thermodynamics is given for non-specialists without using mathematics.
Descriptions of the properties of a thermodynamic system are given in terms of the random motion of the particles in the system. It is
shown how the Principle of Conservation of Energy and the First Law lead to the concept of internal energy and the State Principle.
The Second Law is divided into two parts. The first part is concerned with entropy and thermodynamic temperature. Entropy is an
indicator for the possibility of adiabatic changes between equilibrium states. Thermodynamic temperature is an indicator for the
internal energy of equilibrium states. The second part of the Second Law is the Principle of Increase of Entropy, which states that
when coupled systems move spontaneously from disequilibrium to equilibrium with each other, the total entropy of the systems
increases. The Third Law states that no finite process can cool a system to the absolute zero of temperature.
</p><p><strong>Keywords:</strong> Thermodynamics, non-technical presentation, First Law, internal energy, State Principle, adiabatic reversibility, Second
Law, entropy, thermodynamic temperature, Principle of Increase of Entropy, Third Law, absolute zero.</p>