The zeroth law of thermodynamics is redundant

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that the zeroth law of thermodynamics can be derived from the first and second laws, challenging its status as an independent axiom in classical thermodynamics.

Contribution

It shows that the zeroth law is redundant and can be derived from the first and second laws, simplifying the foundational axioms of thermodynamics.

Findings

Zeroth law derivable from first and second laws

Redundancy of the zeroth law in thermodynamic axioms

Simplification of thermodynamic foundations

Abstract

We reconsider the basic building blocks of classical phenomenological thermodynamics. While doing so we show that the zeroth law is a redundant postulate for the theory by deriving it from the first and the second laws. This is in stark contrast to the prevalent conception that the three laws, the zeroth, first and second, are all necessary and independent axioms.