Reference

Thermodynamic laws play a significant role in constraining the evolution of hydrocarbons. According to the search results, the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease, imposes constraints on chemical evolution. This law effectively prohibits certain transformations, such as the spontaneous evolution of graphite into diamond, due to the increase in entropy and energy required for such a process.

The evolution of hydrocarbons is also influenced by the thermodynamic stability of the hydrogen-carbon system. Normal alkanes, which are the simplest hydrocarbons, only evolve at pressures greater than a certain threshold, indicating that high pressure is a necessary condition for their formation. This aligns with the fact that hydrocarbons are typically found in deep geological formations where high pressures and temperatures prevail.

Furthermore, the control effects of temperature and thermal evolution history on the generation of hydrocarbons imply that pressure can inhibit the degree of thermal evolution and hydrocarbon generation. This suggests that the interplay between pressure, temperature, and time is crucial in the formation and accumulation of hydrocarbons.

In summary, thermodynamic laws, particularly the second law, constrain the conditions under which hydrocarbons can evolve. These constraints are manifested in the need for specific pressure and temperature conditions, as well as the overall increase in entropy that must accompany any chemical transformation. The cited sources provide a more detailed exploration of these concepts, further emphasizing the importance of thermodynamics in understanding the evolution of hydrocarbons.