The Second Law of Thermodynamics and Carnot's Engine - Lecture 23

Explore the fundamental principles of thermodynamics in this comprehensive lecture from Yale University. Delve into the Second Law of Thermodynamics and its implications for irreversibility in natural processes. Examine the concept of specific heats at constant pressure and volume, and understand adiabatic processes. Discover the groundbreaking Carnot heat engine and its significance in establishing the upper limit of heat engine efficiency. Investigate the emergence of entropy from macroscopic considerations. Learn how these principles explain everyday phenomena, such as why a broken egg doesn't reassemble itself. The lecture, part of a broader physics course, provides a thorough foundation in thermodynamics, essential for understanding energy transformations in various systems.

- Chapter 1. Recap of First Law of Thermodynamics and Macroscopic State Properties.
- Chapter 2. Defining Specific Heats at Constant Pressure and Volume.
- Chapter 3. Adiabatic Processes.
- Chapter 4. The Second Law of Thermodynamics and the Concept of Entropy.
- Chapter 5. The Carnot Engine .