Facebook Instagram Youtube Twitter

What is Nernst’s Theorem – Nernst’s postulate – Definition

by
The Nernst’s theorem or Nernst’s postulate states that it is impossible to reduce the entropy of a system to its absolute-zero value in a finite number of operations.

Third Law of Thermodynamics – 3rd Law

The third law of thermodynamics was developed by the German chemist Walther Nernst during the years 1906–12. For this research Walther Nernst won the 1920 Nobel Prize in chemistry. Therefore the third law of thermodynamics is often referred to as Nernst’s theorem or Nernst’s postulate. As can be seen, the third law of thermodynamics states that the entropy of a system in thermodynamic equilibrium approaches zero as the temperature approaches zero. Or conversely the absolute temperature of any pure crystalline substance in thermodynamic equilibrium approaches zero when the entropy approaches zero.

Nernst Heat Theorem (a consequence of the Third Law) is:

It is impossible for any process, no matter how idealized, to reduce the entropy of a system to its absolute-zero value in a finite number of operations.

Mathematically:

nernst theorem

The Nernst heat theorem was later used by a German physicist Max Planck to define the third law of thermodynamics in terms of entropy and absolute zero.

Some materials (e.g. any amorphous solid) do not have a well-defined order at absolute zero. In these materials (e.g. glass) some finite entropy remains also at absolute zero, because the system’s microscopic structure (atom by atom) can be arranged in a different ways (W ≠ 1). This constant entropy is known as the residual entropy, which is the difference between a non-equilibrium state and crystal state of a substance close to absolute zero.

Note that the exact definition of entropy is:

Entropy = (Boltzmann’s constant k) x logarithm of number of possible states

S = kB logW

This equation, which relates the microscopic details, or microstates, of the system (via W) to its macroscopic state (via the entropy S), is the key idea of statistical mechanics.

Absolute Zero

Absolute zero is the coldest theoretical temperature, at which the thermal motion of atoms and molecules reaches its minimum.  This is a state at which the enthalpy and entropy of a cooled ideal gas reaches its minimum value, taken as 0.

Mathematically:

lim ST→0 = 0  

where

S = entropy (J/K)

T = absolute temperature (K)

Classically, this would be a state of motionlessness, but quantum uncertainty dictates that the particles still possess a finite zero-point energy. Absolute zero is denoted as 0 K on the Kelvin scale, −273.15 °C on the Celsius scale, and −459.67 °F on the Fahrenheit scale.

 
References:
Nuclear and Reactor Physics:
  1. J. R. Lamarsh, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory, 2nd ed., Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA (1983).
  2. J. R. Lamarsh, A. J. Baratta, Introduction to Nuclear Engineering, 3d ed., Prentice-Hall, 2001, ISBN: 0-201-82498-1.
  3. W. M. Stacey, Nuclear Reactor Physics, John Wiley & Sons, 2001, ISBN: 0- 471-39127-1.
  4. Glasstone, Sesonske. Nuclear Reactor Engineering: Reactor Systems Engineering, Springer; 4th edition, 1994, ISBN: 978-0412985317
  5. W.S.C. Williams. Nuclear and Particle Physics. Clarendon Press; 1 edition, 1991, ISBN: 978-0198520467
  6. Kenneth S. Krane. Introductory Nuclear Physics, 3rd Edition, Wiley, 1987, ISBN: 978-0471805533
  7. G.R.Keepin. Physics of Nuclear Kinetics. Addison-Wesley Pub. Co; 1st edition, 1965
  8. Robert Reed Burn, Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Operation, 1988.
  9. U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Physics and Reactor Theory. DOE Fundamentals Handbook, Volume 1 and 2. January 1993.

Advanced Reactor Physics:

  1. K. O. Ott, W. A. Bezella, Introductory Nuclear Reactor Statics, American Nuclear Society, Revised edition (1989), 1989, ISBN: 0-894-48033-2.
  2. K. O. Ott, R. J. Neuhold, Introductory Nuclear Reactor Dynamics, American Nuclear Society, 1985, ISBN: 0-894-48029-4.
  3. D. L. Hetrick, Dynamics of Nuclear Reactors, American Nuclear Society, 1993, ISBN: 0-894-48453-2.
  4. E. E. Lewis, W. F. Miller, Computational Methods of Neutron Transport, American Nuclear Society, 1993, ISBN: 0-894-48452-4.

See also:

Laws of Thermodynamics

We hope, this article, Nernst’s Theorem – Nernst’s postulate, helps you. If so, give us a like in the sidebar. Main purpose of this website is to help the public to learn some interesting and important information about thermal engineering.

Related Posts