Thermodynamics question... I need help with this homework question... What is the answer?

Question

Here what is says:

One whimsical statement of the laws of thermodynamics - probably not one favored by gamblers - goes like this:

I. You can never win; you can only lose or break even.
II. You can only break even at absolute zero.
III. You can never get to absolute zero.

What do you mean by "win, "lose," and "break even?"
[Hint: Thank about a heat engine.]

What does this mean??? I have absolutely no clue. HELP!!!

Answer 1

The simple answer is that you cannot build a perpetual motion machine, i.e., you cannot get more energy than you put in, and you can't even get back the energy that you put in.

Answer 2

I. A heat engine can never be 100% efficient, therefore some heat is always lost in the process. If the process is above absolute zero.

II. Absolute zero presents the ideal situation in which the machine is 100% efficient.

III. Absolute zero is can never be attained. It is the point where all molecular motion is stopped. Scientists have gotten close (one millionth of a degree or so), but have not gotten exactly there.

Answer 3

The first statement (I) is a restatement of the first 2 laws of thermo. (1) Energy cannot be created nor destroyed. (2) With each energy transformation, there is loss due to entropy (TdeltaS). The second statement (II) is a restatement of the third law. (3) Perfect energy transformations can occur only at absolute zero (T in entropy becomes 0) in a perfect crystal. At absolute zero, energy in = work out. Because molecular motion is necessary, for work, you will never reach 0-K.