International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 05 Issue: 09 | Sep-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Practical significance of the Second and Third Laws of

Thermodynamics and their collective effect on Human Life
Gourav Vivek Kulkarni

B.E. Mechanical Engineering, KLS Gogte Institute of Technology, Belagavi, Karnataka, INDIA
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Abstract - Although thermodynamics seems to be a complex the laws progress, there is a refinement in the constraints of
science, it has complete pervasion over human life and the the process. The Third law of thermodynamics deals with the
relevance of the laws can be felt thereby. The first law of disorder of the system during a process. It dictates the effect
thermodynamics describes the quantified inter-conversion of of a process on the system-surrounding interface. Every
heat and work, the second law highlights the quality aspect of process, whether reversible or irreversible has a path
this process and lays certain constraints on the followed which is positive. Thus every path contributes to
thermodynamic processes. The third law describes the the increase in disorder of a system-surrounding interface.
disorderliness of a system and sums up saying the This can be understood by considering the following
disorderliness of the universe is increasing continuously. These example. While moving downhill in a car, when the brakes
aspects can be experienced in practical human life wherein are applied, the kinetic energy is converted to heat by the
every commodity that has a certain use, needs to be regularly brake shoes and the car comes to rest. But the same energy
maintained for service failing which, there will be increase in cannot be regained by reversing the process wherein the car
disorder and the commodity will become unusable. This paper moves uphill and the brakes are cooled. Thus in a reversible
considers three cases viz. Industrial setup and machines, process, every path contributes to increase in disorderliness
Automobiles and the Human Body, where the laws of of the universe. Considering this as the basis, following study
thermodynamics govern the serviceability and efficiency of the can be undertaken wherein for every commodity in use,
system. A conclusion is drawn towards the end indicating the there is a tendency of increase in disorder. It is not possible
pervasiveness of the laws of thermodynamics. to stop this but by certain methods, the disorder can be
controlled indeed.
Key Words: Thermodynamics, energy, entropy, heat,
work, efficiency, maintenance 2. THE SECOND LAW OF THERMODYNAMICS

1. INTRODUCTION The second law of thermodynamics has two statements

depending upon the context of application[1] viz. the Kelvin-
Thermodynamics can be defined as the science of energy and Plank statement i.e. "It is impossible to construct an engine,
entropy. But as these terms represent an advanced stage of which while working in a cycle produces no other effect
study, in the basic stage, one can define thermodynamics as except to extract heat from a single reservoir and do
the science of inter-conversion of heat and work. Since equivalent amount of work" and the Clausius statement i.e "It
thermodynamics is a science, it can be attributed as a is impossible for a self acting machine working in a cyclic
systematic study of processes. There are four laws of process unaided by any external energy, to convey heat from
thermodynamics that govern a thermodynamic process. In a body at lower temperature to a body at higher
these, the Zeroth law defines a state of thermal equilibrium temperature". Both the statements are negative statements
wherein the foundation of another field of study called Heat and cannot be proven mathematically. However, their truth
Transfer is laid. Similar to an electric current, heat flows cannot be denied by the fact that one cannot design a system
from a point at higher temperature to a point at lower that negates either or both of these statements. This makes
temperature until equilibrium is established. The voltage in the second law of thermodynamics a factor to decide the
this process is the difference of temperatures which is also feasibility of a process. This itself paves way to the concept of
known as the thermal gradient. The First law of efficiency which represents the ability of a system
thermodynamics is the Law of conservation of energy. Since undergoing a process to convert the given input into a
heat and work are alternate forms of energy, this law desired output. But according to the second law, it can be
provides the quantitative constraints of inter-conversion of clearly stated that one can reach nearer to maximum
heat and work. Although the First law says that for a cycle efficiency but cannot attain it. This itself paves way to the
the cyclic integrals of heat transfer and work transfer are third law of thermodynamics which talks of orderliness of the
equal, there is no clarity regarding the efficiency of system at absolute zero. Thus if a system is not completely
conversion. This can be understood by the Second law of efficient, there is certain disorder and this disorder keeps on
thermodynamics which considers the quality of inter- getting magnified with time. The following sections discuss
conversion. According to this, a thermodynamic process this concept at large.
cannot take place if it exchanges heat with a single thermal
reservoir and there cannot be natural heat transfer against a
negative thermal gradient. Thus it can be observed that as

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 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 05 Issue: 09 | Sep-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

3. INDUSTRIAL SETUP AND MACHINES inaccuracies introduced in the system. Because of this, the
sheet metal eventually corrodes, the battery gradually loses
In order to have a continuity of study, let an automobile its functional ability, the rotating and reciprocating parts of
manufacturing industry be considered. The setup mainly the engine undergo wear and deform over a period of time.
comprises of dies that are used to form the sheet metal to the The efficiency of functioning of these parts depends greatly
desired shape, assembly units or workstations where the upon the frequency of application. But in the correct context,
assembly takes place and a testing unit where the testing continuous use also introduces inaccuracies due to excessive
takes place. For the study, there should be certain defined wear. This renders an image of pervasion of the second and
input and a desired output on the basis of which, the third law of thermodynamics, not only in thermal or heat
efficiency of the process can be measured. related process but also in the processes where use of
materials is concerned.
Consider the setup comprising of dies and punches where
sheet metal forming has to be undertaken. Every set has to 5. THE HUMAN BODY
work for a determined number of cycles. On operating the
dies once, there certain amount of wear that takes place. A To further extend the study, the human body shall be
cumulative effective of this leads to considerable wear. The considered as the system and principle of disorder shall be
principle of disorder lies in the fact that if allowed to work addressed thereby. The human body is indeed a marvel of
without maintenance, the dies tend to be more inaccurate bio-mechanics, thermodynamics and life sciences. In this
while forming the sheet metal. For that matter, the section, the organ system, circulatory system and the
effectiveness of maintenance depends upon the ability to digestive system shall be considered and effect of ageing and
restore the lost dimensions which further adds to the improper care on the disorderliness of the system shall be
inaccuracy. Thus the setup has an inbuilt tendency to wear if highlighted. This study shall be undertaken considering only
kept unattended and even if regularly maintained, there is the thermodynamic aspect.
increase in inaccuracy of the die over a period of time. This
requires efficient design and replacement after the end of The human body is a combination of systems. There is
serviceable life. extreme control and coordination among these systems.
However, every living being has four major characteristics
Another setup is the Assembly workstation which has viz. locomotion, respiration, reproduction and growth. When
fixtures to aid the assembly of the automobile. The factor it comes to growth, it is an irreversible process wherein
that further contributes to the disorder of the system is the there is visible increase in disorder of the body as a law of
product variety that the company may offer. This requires nature.
proper upkeep of the fixtures when not in use. Additionally,
when the same fixture is used for a large number of The cell is a basic unit of life. Group of cells forms a tissue
assemblies, there is increase in wear of the fixture that adds and group of tissues forms an organ. A group of organs make
to further errors in alignment of the components and an organ system. Every organ system is connected to
variations in the torque required to join the same. perform a specific task. However, as the person grows, there
is reduction in the effectiveness of the organs due to various
This clearly shows that the metallic as well as the non- reasons attributed to food, life style and so on. The organs
metallic components of the setup have a natural tendency to are continuously subjected to varying operating conditions.
reach disorder if left unattended or regularly maintained as Due to the effect of intermittent changes, the organs lose
the lost accuracy cannot be regained by maintenance. As their strength, vigor and get easily fatigued. The increase in
explained in the example mentioned in the introduction, disorder occurs when a particular organ is not properly
every process thus adds to increase in disorder to validate functional and undergoes medical treatment. Post treatment,
the third law of thermodynamics. the organ rarely completely regains its lost functionality.
This gradually hinders the functionality of other organs and
4. AUTOMOBILES there is disorder introduced that prevails and magnifies
thereafter.
Continuing the study further, the product of the automobile
manufacturing company i.e an automobile shall be taken up The circulatory system comprises of the heart, the veins and
as an example to explain the application of the third law of arteries. The concept of disorder introduced in the system
thermodynamics. Right from the day on which a particular can be understood by something that can be experienced by
automobile is commissioned, it begins its journey towards frequent travelers. During overnight journeys, some of the
deformation and disorder. On regular use, there are fatigue travelers prefer buses or trains that have sitting or semi-
stresses induced in the components that tend them to lose sleeping arrangement wherein the traveler is more or less in
their strength over a considerable period of time. The sheet a sitting posture. Due to gravity, the posture and extended
metal used to build the structure of the automobile, tends to period of lack of movements, blood tends to accumulate in
corrode even though there is a protective coating applied to the limbs and the same can be validated by observing
it. This can be experienced by the automobile users to a huge slightly swollen feet in the morning. Thus, if left unattended,
extent. Disorder sets up in every system if it is left there can be increase in the local blood pressure of the foot
unattended and if maintenance is carried out, there are
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 International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 05 Issue: 09 | Sep-2018 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

and this can lead to internal rupture on account of the AUTHOR

continuous inflow of blood. This speaks about the increase
disorder of the system that is indicated by the deviation from Gourav Vivek Kulkarni completed
normal physical behavior. his Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical
Engineering in 2017. His areas of
The digestive system is the key to well being of an individual. interest include Thermal
Overall health of a person depends upon the effectiveness of Engineering, Non conventional
the digestive system. Firstly, if the person starves for a Energy sources, Astrophysics,
considerable period, the inner lining of the alimentary canal Computational Fluid Dynamics and
is affected and this leads to increase in acidity of the same. Machine Design.
On completely utilizing the glycogen available, the body
starts to break down the proteins and other necessary
elements to keep itself alive thereby increasing the disorder
due to no intake of food. This can lead to permanent
digestive problems and hinder the functioning of the
associated organs. Thus disorder in one system leads to
disorder in another, thereby increasing the overall disorder.
This clearly indicates that the body always tends towards
disorder.

Thus observing an overall scenario, the human body is

something that seems to be constantly inching towards more
and more disorder with age. Thus the suggested key to
success would be maintaining least disorder in every activity
to the most possible extent.

6. CONCLUSION

Thus it can be concluded that, the basic tendency of the

universe is to attain disorder by one or the other means. In
event a system is regularly overhauled, one cannot ascertain
regaining of earlier accuracy thereby introducing an
additional disorder. Thus every system follows this principle
and tends towards complete disorder validating the second
and third laws of thermodynamics to a greater extent thereby
proving their all pervasive nature.

REFERENCES

[1] R. K. Rajput, Thermal Engineering (In S.I. Units), Eighth

Edition, Laxmi Publications (P) Ltd, ISBN 978-81-318-
0804-7

[2] Eshter Hanggi, Stephaine Wehner, A violation of the

uncertainty principle implies a violation of the second
law of thermodynamics, Nature communications,
Machmillan Publishers Limited, 9 April 2013, pp 1-5

[3] Ping He, Dong-Biao Kang, Entropy principle and

complementary second law of thermodynamics for self-
gravitating systems, Monthly notices of the Royal
Astronomical Society, 19 April 2010, pp 2678-2688

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