The direction of a natural process is dictated by the ______ law of thermodynamics.

Explanation:

There are 4 laws to thermodynamics:

Zeroth law of thermodynamics – If two thermodynamic systems are each in thermal equilibrium with a third, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other.

First law of thermodynamics – Energy can neither be created nor destroyed. It can only change forms. In any process, the total energy of the universe remains the same.

For a thermodynamic cycle, the net heat supplied to the system equals the net work done by the system.

δQ = ΔU + δW

Second law of thermodynamics – The entropy of an isolated system not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium.

ΔS = ΔQ/T

ΔSTotal = ΔSSystem + ΔSsurrounding

The second law of thermodynamics introduces the concept of entropy.

The second law of thermodynamics deals with the direction taken by natural or spontaneous processes.

Third law of thermodynamics – As the temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a system approaches a constant minimum.