Which of the following thermodynamic laws states that it is impossible to construct a heat engine operating in a cycle that converts all the heat absorbed from a single thermal reservoir completely into work without leaving any other effect?

💡 Solution & Explanation

The Kelvin-Planck statement of the second law of thermodynamics establishes that no heat engine can convert all absorbed thermal energy into mechanical work without rejecting some heat to a lower temperature sink. The zeroth law defines thermal equilibrium and temperature measurement, while the first law expresses the conservation of energy in thermodynamic systems. The third law states that the entropy of a pure crystalline substance approaches zero as absolute zero temperature is reached. Carnot theorem sets the maximum theoretical efficiency limit for heat engines operating between two thermal reservoirs.