Kelvin-Planck Statement

What is the Kelvin Planck Statement?

This is a special case of the second law of thermodynamics. It states that “It is impossible to construct a device which operates on a cycle and produces no other effect than the transfer of heat from a single body to produce work.” This means that it is impossible to construct an engine whose sole purpose is to convert the heat from a high-temperature source/reservoir into an equal amount of work.

We know that heat (Q) and Work(W) are the two forms of energy. Both follow the S.I unit Joules, and both are interconvertible. This means work can be converted into heat and vice-versa. Here, work can be fully converted into heat, but heat cannot be fully converted into work. Hence, work is called high-grade energy, and heat is called low-grade energy.

The Kelvin-Planck statement is two different statements given by Lord Kelvin and Planck. They are known as Kelvin’s statement and Planck’s statement.

Kelvin’s statement stated that it is impossible to derive mechanical effect from any matter by cooling it below the highest cooling temperature of the surrounding objects.

Planck’s statement states that the total sum of entropies for the reversible system remains constant.

Clubbing both these statements, the Kelvin-Planck statement was derived.

The kelvin-Planck statement, also known as the heat engine statement from the second law of thermodynamics, states that it is impossible to design a device that works on a cycle and produces no other effect other than heat transfer from a single body for the production of work.

Kelvin-Planck Statement Example

A hypothetical device called the perpetual motion machine of the second kind (PMMSK) was introduced by Wilhelm Ostwald, which would perform work exclusively by absorbing energy as heat from a body.

Working of Heat Engine:

For the operation of the heat engine, the working fluid has to continuously exchange heat between the heat sink/reservoir with low temperature Q_L and the heat source/reservoir with high temperature Q_H

The prime parameter involved here is efficiency.

The efficiency of a heat engine is “The amount of useful work obtained(output) for a given amount of input”

In general, efficiency tells the heat transfer process. It is the ratio of “how much you get out” to “how much you put in”

Efficiency  

\(\begin{array}{l}\eta =\frac{-W}{-Q_{H}}\end{array} \)

\(\begin{array}{l}=\frac{Q_{L}-Q_{H}}{Q_{L}}\end{array} \)

\(\begin{array}{l}=1-\frac{Q_{L}}{Q_{H}}\end{array} \)

In the absence of a heat sink, that is:  

\(\begin{array}{l}Q_{L}=0\end{array} \)

Then efficiency

\(\begin{array}{l}\eta =1-\frac{0}{Q_{H}}=1\end{array} \)

This implies that efficiency is 100%. Which is not true according to the second law of thermodynamics. Thus, no heat engine is 100% efficient.

\(\begin{array}{l}\eta<1\end{array} \)

Real-Life Scenario:

The real-life applications of thermodynamics are plenty. To move the boat, heat energy is converted into work energy. The water body comprises an enormous amount of heat. So ideally, we can extract heat from the water body and convert that heat completely into propulsion to work. Unfortunately, in a practical scenario, it does not work. A well-equipped engine with fuel is essential to move the boat forward. This works as an external heat supply for the functioning of propulsion. Thus, we realize that it is impossible to build an engine that converts heat from one reservoir completely into work. This aids the Kelvin Planck statement.

Related Physics Articles:

The Zeroth law of thermodynamics

Thermodynamics PDF

Thermodynamics processes and types

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

What are the limitations of the first law of thermodynamics?

It does not tell us about the direction of the flow of heat. It fails to explain why heat cannot be spontaneously converted into work

Q2

What is Kelvin’s statement of the second law of thermodynamics?

According to the second law of thermodynamics by Kelvin, it is impossible to get a continuous supply of work by cooling a body to a temperature lower than that of the coolest of surroundings.

Q3

What is Clausius’ statement of the second law of thermodynamics?

According to Clausis, it is impossible for a self-acting machine unaided by an external agency to heat from one body at a lower temperature to another body at a higher temperature.

Q4

When is there a violation of Kelvin’s statement of the second law?

Suppose we have an engine which gives a continuous supply of work when it is cooled below the temperature of the surroundings. This is a violation of the Kelvin statement.

Q5

Give one application of the second law of thermodynamics.

The second law of thermodynamics is applied in refrigerators.

Watch the video and learn the first law of thermodynamics.

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