What does the Second Law of Thermodynamics state about spontaneous processes?

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that for any spontaneous process, the total entropy of the universe must increase. This principle indicates that natural processes tend to move toward a state of greater disorder or randomness, which is quantitatively expressed as an increase in entropy.

In essence, spontaneous processes are those that occur without the input of energy from an external source, leading to a net increase in the entropy of the system plus the surroundings. This law highlights the direction of thermodynamic processes, emphasizing that they favor configurations that result in a higher level of entropy.

While the other choices may relate to different thermodynamic concepts, they do not capture the essence of the Second Law as accurately as the statement regarding the increase in universal entropy.