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Short answer: the 2nd law of thermodynamics applies only to closed systems, and the only truly closed system is presumably the entire universe (if even that). Crystals always form in the context of a larger system providing energy, meaning that entropy increases elsewhere, proportionate to the decrease of entropy represented by the crystal formation. Here is a somewhat more in-depth answer:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/newton/askasci/1993/chem/CHEM047.HTM

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How does energy efficiency relate to the first and second law of thermodynamics?

By the first law of thermodynamics, energy is conserved - i.e. the sum of the useful work and the energy lost to heat will equal the energy you started with. The second law states that you will never get 100% energy efficiency.


Why the first and second law of thermodynamics may be states you can not get ahead and you can not break even?

According to the second law of Thermodynamics, the amount of usable energy will continuously decrease.According to the second law of Thermodynamics, the amount of usable energy will continuously decrease.According to the second law of Thermodynamics, the amount of usable energy will continuously decrease.According to the second law of Thermodynamics, the amount of usable energy will continuously decrease.


Which law of thermodynamics states that the heat engine cannot be completely efficient?

True


How does entropy work in the context of thermodynamics and the second law of thermodynamics?

Entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system. In the context of thermodynamics and the second law of thermodynamics, entropy tends to increase over time in isolated systems. This means that energy tends to disperse and become less organized, leading to a decrease in the system's ability to do work. The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system will always increase or remain constant, but never decrease.


The fact that usable energy is always lost in an energy transfer is due to what 1 Newton's first law of motion 2 the second law of thermodynamics 3 Newton's second law of motion 4 the first l?

The fact that usable energy is always lost in an energy transfer is due to the second law of thermodynamics. This law states that entropy, or disorder, tends to increase over time in a closed system, leading to the loss of usable energy in the form of heat.

Related Questions

How does energy systems relate to other systems?

The second law of thermodynamics states that


How does energy efficiency relate to the first and second law of thermodynamics?

By the first law of thermodynamics, energy is conserved - i.e. the sum of the useful work and the energy lost to heat will equal the energy you started with. The second law states that you will never get 100% energy efficiency.


What law of thermodynamics is unavailable for doing work?

"Unavailable for doing work" is related to the Second Law of Thermodynamics.


Why the first and second law of thermodynamics may be states you can not get ahead and you can not break even?

According to the second law of Thermodynamics, the amount of usable energy will continuously decrease.According to the second law of Thermodynamics, the amount of usable energy will continuously decrease.According to the second law of Thermodynamics, the amount of usable energy will continuously decrease.According to the second law of Thermodynamics, the amount of usable energy will continuously decrease.


Which law of thermodynamics states that the heat engine cannot be completely efficient?

True


How does entropy work in the context of thermodynamics and the second law of thermodynamics?

Entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system. In the context of thermodynamics and the second law of thermodynamics, entropy tends to increase over time in isolated systems. This means that energy tends to disperse and become less organized, leading to a decrease in the system's ability to do work. The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system will always increase or remain constant, but never decrease.


How many thermodynamics laws are there?

There are three laws of thermodynamics. The first law states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed. The second law states that heat naturally flows from hot to cold. The third law states that as temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a perfect crystal approaches zero.


What law of thermodynamics tracks 'quality' of energy?

second law


What is another name for the Law of Disorder?

Second Law of Thermodynamics


The fact that usable energy is always lost in an energy transfer is due to what 1 Newton's first law of motion 2 the second law of thermodynamics 3 Newton's second law of motion 4 the first l?

The fact that usable energy is always lost in an energy transfer is due to the second law of thermodynamics. This law states that entropy, or disorder, tends to increase over time in a closed system, leading to the loss of usable energy in the form of heat.


What conversion does the second law of thermodynamics not allow?

The second law does not allow complete conversion of heat into work.


Can energy be regenerated?

According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, once energy is wasted, it is gone forever - useful energy has become unusable energy.According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, once energy is wasted, it is gone forever - useful energy has become unusable energy.According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, once energy is wasted, it is gone forever - useful energy has become unusable energy.According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, once energy is wasted, it is gone forever - useful energy has become unusable energy.