First law of thermodynamics, q=w for a reversible isothermal process

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In a reversible isothermal process, the first law of thermodynamics states that the energy absorbed as heat (q) is equal to the work done (w). However, the second law of thermodynamics indicates that no process can achieve 100% efficiency due to the necessity of some heat output (q_out). This means that while energy can be converted into work, some energy will always be lost as waste heat. The efficiency of a heat engine is defined by the ratio of work output to heat input, which must be less than one. Therefore, the apparent contradiction arises from misunderstanding the implications of the second law regarding entropy and energy transfer.
jarman007
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according to first law of thermodynamics,q=w for a reversible isothermal process.this means all the energy absorbed is being used to to do the work ,but according to second law of thermodynamics,there cannot be 100% effeciency.please tell where i am going wrong
 
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More precisely, the first law says that the sum of the heat input (q_\mathrm{in}) and the work input (w_\mathrm{in}) equals the sum of the heat output (q_\mathrm{out}) and the work output (w_\mathrm{out}). The second law says that in a heat engine (where w_\mathrm{in}=0 and w_\mathrm{out}/q_\mathrm{in} is a measure of efficiency), there must be some q_\mathrm{out},* so w_\mathrm{out}/q_\mathrm{in}<0. Does this answer your question?

*(To remove the entropy brought in by the heat input; entropy can't decrease and isn't transferred by work.)
 
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