Clausius theorem

English

Etymology

Developed by German physicist and mathematician Rudolf Clausius.

Proper noun

the Clausius theorem

1. A theorem stating that, for a thermodynamic system exchanging heat with external reservoirs and undergoing a thermodynamic cycle, $\oint {\frac {\delta Q}{T_{\text{surr}}}}\leq 0,$, where $\delta Q$ is the infinitesimal amount of heat absorbed by the system from the reservoir, and $T_{\text{surr}}$ is the temperature of the external reservoir (surroundings) at a particular instant in time.