Re: key concepts in physics ???

[Leigh Palmer <palmer@SFU.CA>]

>        2. The second law of thermodynamics: Heat exchanges
> necessarily require an unrecoverable loss of energy. No heat engine
> can be built with 100% efficiency; this is a fundamental law of
> physics, not a limitation of human ingenuity.

While this is, indeed, a favorite of mine, I don't believe that the
second law can be made comprehensible to the students whom you are
trying to reach in any greater depth than the statement of the
factoid above. That would not do the second law justice in my view.
It is far more important than that. The students should have a
broad survey course before being introduced to the second law. One
cannot recognize a true gem if one has not first become familiar
with baser stones.

Leigh