On the proposed second law paradox in a nonzero floating potential

A second law paradox was previously proposed for a plasma contained within an infinite blackbody. The proposed second law paradox was dependent on the plasma having a nonzero floating potential [D. P. Sheehan and J. D. Means, Phys. Plasmas 5, 2469 (1998)]. This work demonstrates that a nonzero float ing potential is indicative of some energy contained within the plasma that can be withdrawn from the plasma without violation of the second law. Furt hermore, it is shown from the probe theory that the plasma in this hypothet ical configuration must have a floating potential of zero at steady state.