abstract:In the history of science, the principle of maximum work was a postulate concerning the relationship between chemical reactions, heat evolution, and the potential work produced there from. The principle was developed in approximate form in 1875 by French chemist Marcellin Berthelot, in the field of thermochemistry, and then later in 1876 by American mathematical physicist Willard Gibbs, in the field of thermodynamics, in a more accurate form.
Based on generalprincipleofthe 2nd low of thermodynamics, methods for verifying the "principleof Maximum Work" are summarized and same essentialproblemsin this area are discussed.