Section 3
The Second Law of Thermodynamics
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Version 3
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By Boundless
Boundless Physics
Physics
by Boundless
4 concepts
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/17293/square/figure-16-03-02.jpeg)
The Second Law
The second law of thermodynamics states that heat transfer occurs spontaneously only from higher to lower temperature bodies.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/17294/square/figure-16-03-03.jpeg)
Heat Engines
In thermodynamics, a heat engine is a system that performs the conversion of heat or thermal energy to mechanical work.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/31197/square/figure-16-04-02.jpeg)
Carnot Cycles
The Carnot cycle is the most efficient cyclical process possible and uses only reversible processes through its cycle.
![Thumbnail](../../../../../../figures.boundless-cdn.com/17301/square/figure-16-05-02.jpeg)
Heat Pumps and Refrigerators
A heat pump is a device that transfers heat energy from a heat source to a heat sink against a temperature gradient.