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2nd Law of Thermodynamics

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics states that in any natural process, the total entropy of a closed system always increases or remains constant. It implies that energy tends to disperse and systems tend to move towards a state of greater disorder.

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