There are four laws of thermodynamics, which contain deep physical and philosophical

meanings. Therefore, it is hard to give you a thorough understanding by using just a few
hundreds of words.

I will state them one by one and tell you my interpretation of their importance.

Zeroth law: If A and B are separately in thermal equilibrium with C, then A and B are in thermal
equilibrium.

Importance: We are allowed to define a thermodynamic parameter called temperature such

that when two objects are in thermal equilibrium, they have the same temperature.

Background knowledge: When two objects are "in contact" and there is no net heat flow between
them, we say the objects are in thermal equilibrium.

What is Thermodynamics?

Thermodynamics is the science of energy transfer and the effect of their transfer on the
physical properties of substances. It is based upon observations of common experiments
which have been formulated into laws. The applications of thermodynamics are found in
all fields including and not limited to power plant, IC engines, Refrigerators, Air
Conditioners and fuel cells. All of these devices make use of heat to achieve useful work
and vice versa. A thermodynamics system is defined as a region in space upon which
attention is focused. The system is separated from it surrounds by a boundary which
classifies the system into i. Closed system; where only energy transfer takes place ii.
Open System; where both mass and energy transfer takes place. iii. Isolated system;
where no transfer takes place. Most thermodynamics systems are open systems. While
analyzing such systems attention is focused on a certain volume within the system
known as control volume. The surface bounding this surface is called a control surface.
Every system has certain characteristics by which its physical condition may be
described. eg.: Volume, temperature, pressure etc. Such characteristics are called the
properties of the system. When all properties of the system have definite values, the
system is said to exist at a definite state. Properties are the coordinates to describe the
state of the system. Any operation in which one or more of the properties of the system
change is called a change of state. When the path during a change of state is completely
specified, the change of state is called a process. Eg: a constant pressure process. A cycle
is defined as a series of state changes such that the final state is identical with the initial
state. Now, we all know that matter is made up of molecules and in-turn of atoms. For
eg: 1mm3 of air at STP contains 10¹⁶ molecules each of which has a position and
velocity. These position and velocity are generally not useful for determining how
macroscopic systems will act. Hence, we neglect the fact that real matter is made up of
atoms and rather take it to be made up of continuous description of matter where the
properties of matter are considered as continuous function of space variables like
volume, pressure and temperature. This is the concept of continnum. Thermodynamic
Equilibrium is said to exist in a state when no change in any macroscopic property is
seen, when the system is isolated from its surroundings. There are three types of
equilibrium that must be satisfied in order for a system to be in thermodynamic
equilibrium. i. Mechanical Equilibrium which translates to the absence of any
unbalanced force within the system and also between the system and its surroundings.
ii. Chemical Equilibrium: which requires no chemical reaction or matter transfer from
one part of the system to another and last iii. Thermal Equilibrium: which requires no
spontaneous change in property of the system if it is separated from its surroundings.
When a body A is in thermal equilibrium with a body B and also separately with body C,
then B and C will be in thermal equilibrium with each other. This is the zeroth law of
Thermodynamics. It is the basis of temperature measurement which is a distinct
property of a thermodynamic system and is measured using a thermometer by selecting
a reference body taking into account a certain property that changes with temperature.
A common example is a mercury in glass thermometer which uses length to indicate
temperature. A closed system and its surroundings can interact in two ways: (i) by work
transfer and (ii) by heat transfer, both of which are boundary phenomenon. Heat and
work are not the properties of the system and hence cannot be stored by it. They are
both path functions. i.e. The magnitude of heat or work transfer depends upon the path
that the system follows during the change of state. Heat transfer is the energy transfer
due to temperature difference only. All other energy transfers can be termed as work
transfer. The first law of thermodynamics is essentially the law of conservation of energy
but since we need it in terms of thermodynamics it can be expressed under two foems:
(a) First law for a closed system undergoing a cycle wherein the cyclic integral of work
done is always proportional to the cyclic integral of heat transferrred. The constant of
proportionality is called the Joule’s Equivalent. (b) First law for a closed system under
going a change of state. when heat or work is done on a system resulting in a change of
state the net energy transfer is stored in the system. This energy termed as “internal
energy” is the difference between the work done and heat rejected by the system. The
major application of first law of thermodynamics is to analyze the flow of mass across
and open system which is done by the classic Steady Flow Energy Equation.