Thermodynamics is the study of the inter-relation between heat, work and internal energy of a system.

In simplest terms, the Laws of Thermodynamics dictate the specifics for the movement of heat and work. Basically, the First Law of Thermodynamics is a statement of the conservation of energy - the Second Law is a statement about the direction

The British scientist and author C.P. Snow had an excellent way of remembering the three laws:

1. You cannot win (that is, you cannot get something for nothing, because matter and energy are conserved).

2. You cannot break even (you cannot return to the same energy state, because there is always an increase in disorder; entropy always increases).

3. You cannot get out of the game (because absolute zero is unattainable).

Mullfoto of the Day

Hose Cleaner? Who would hire a Hose Cleaner?

Catchy Caption of the Day

Actual Caption:

In this photo provided by the Intel Corporation, Mary Masterman, 17, of Oklahoma City, winner of the top prize in the 2007 Intel Science Talent Search, poses for a photo at Intel STS awards gala in Washington D.C., Tuesday, March 13, 2007. Masterman, a senior at Westmoore High School in Oklahoma City, won a $100,000 scholarship from the Intel Foundation.

You go, girl.

(AP Photo/Intel Corporation)