Hal Tasaki
Published 2000-09-14, updated 2000-12-19Version 2
In a macroscopic (quantum or classical) Hamiltonian system, we prove the second law of thermodynamics in the forms of the minimum work principle and the law of entropy increase, under the assumption that the initial state is described by a general equilibrium distribution. Therefore the second law is a logical necessity once we accept equilibrium statistical mechanics.
Comments: 8 pages, See the added note in the beginning of the note
Zeroth and Second Laws of Thermodynamics Simultaneously Questioned in the Quantum Microworld
Order and Chaos in the One-Dimensional $φ^4$ Model : N-Dependence and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
First and Second Law of Thermodynamics at strong coupling
