The laws of thermodynamics are as such:
Zeroth – if two systems are both in thermodynamic equilibrium with a third system, then they are in equilibrium with each other.
First- energy cannot be created or destroyed; it can only change form.
Second – the entropy of an isolated system will increase over time, reaching a maximum value at equilibrium.
Third – As the temperature approaches absolute zero (0 Kelvin), the entropy of a system approaches a constant minimum.
“The laws of thermodynamics smell of their human origin.” While a curious way to describe laws of physics, this rings true when considering how scientific laws are made. It is usually not in the context of gaining knowledge for the sake of knowledge. Human beings often attempt to learn so they can create something new or have some sort of new advantage. This is particularly true for fields such as chemistry and biology where the practical applications of knowledge are endless and include instances such as creating new treatments for disease or manufacturing a new substance such as plastic. Physics is often left in the corner and forgotten about when considering practical applications. Many things theorized take years if not decades to even prove the existence of, so it is difficult to immediately find a practical application for physical laws. Though difficult, the laws of thermodynamics fit into the character of human curiosity by providing a way in which these laws can be used.
This is mainly true of the zeroth law and the first law of thermodynamics. It is hard to find a practical use for the entropy (a measure of disorder) of a system. It is good to know for how molecules work, but knowing so is not going to help me heat my soup or another practical solution of the like. The third law of thermodynamics is practically impossible to find a fully practical use for. This is because with current scientific knowledge, it is impossible to reach absolute zero. Experiments have come very close, and the entropy of the system coming to a minimum has been observed. However, with the amount of effort it takes to reach temperatures this low, it will be hard pressed to find a practical application for everyday people.
This then leaves us with the zeroth and first laws of thermodynamics to capture the human process. Count Rumford was curious to know how much heat “is produced by metal rubbing against metal.” To this, he created a “cannon barrel that could be thoroughly insulated against loss of heat, replaced the sharp boring tool with a dull drill bit, and immersed the front part of the gun, where the action was, in a tank full of water.” In doing so, Runford was investigating the first law of thermodynamics. He observed that as heat was generated from the cannon, it heated the water, even to a boil. The friction of the heat was thus transformed into heat in the water. With better knowledge of how heat works, it would then be able to create better insulated cannons that have more fire power because they do not lose as much heat to the surroundings.
