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→First Law of Thermodynamics
:<math>PV = nkT\,</math>
:<math>PV = nkT\,</math>
where <math>n\,</math> is the number of molecules and <math>k\,</math> is ''Boltzmann's constant'' (1.38x10<sup>-23</sup> joules per kelvin).
where <math>n\,</math> is the number of molecules and <math>k\,</math> is ''Boltzmann's constant'' (1.38x10<sup>-23</sup> joules per kelvin).
Scientists were now fairly close to figuring out thermodynamics. They just needed the kinetic theory and statistical mechanics. They still didn't know why heat only flows "downhill"—it was still just an observed fact. And they didn't know why "heat engines", that is, things that turn heat (e.g. steam) into mechanical energy, aren't very efficient.
==[[Second Law of Thermodynamics]]==
==[[Second Law of Thermodynamics]]==