Third Law of Thermodynamics

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Third Law of Thermodynamics

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The statement that every substance has a finite positive entropy, and that the entropy of a crystalline substance is zero at the temperature of absolute zero. See thermodynamic probability. Modern quantum theory has shown that the entropy of crystals at 0 degrees absolute is not necessarily zero. If the crystal has any asymmetry, it may exist in more than one state; and there is, in addition, an entropy residue deriving from nuclear spin. </dd>

References

This article is based on NASA's Dictionary of Technical Terms for Aerospace Use