Step-by-step Derivations:

Step 1: Analyze Statement 1

Statement 1 says: "There is a natural asymmetry between converting work to heat and converting heat to work."

• Converting Work to Heat: This process can be 100% efficient. For example, the work done by friction is completely converted into heat, increasing the internal energy of the surfaces. Another example is an electrical resistor, where electrical work is entirely converted into heat ($W = I^2Rt$). According to the first law of thermodynamics, $\Delta U = Q + W$. If we do work $W$ on an insulated system ($Q=0$), its internal energy increases by $\Delta U = W$. This increased internal energy can be subsequently released as heat. So, work can be completely converted into heat.

• Converting Heat to Work: This process is performed by a heat engine. A heat engine operates in a cycle, absorbs heat ($Q_H$) from a high-temperature reservoir, converts part of it into work ($W$), and must reject the remaining heat ($Q_C$) to a low-temperature reservoir. The efficiency of a heat engine is given by $\eta = \frac{W}{Q_H}$. According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, it is impossible to convert heat completely into work in a cyclic process. This means $\eta$ is always less than 1 (or 100%). For 100% conversion, $W$ would equal $Q_H$, which would imply $Q_C = 0$. This is forbidden by the Second Law.

• Conclusion for Statement 1: Since work can be completely converted to heat, but heat cannot be completely converted to work, there is a clear asymmetry between the two processes. Therefore, Statement 1 is True.

Step 2: Analyze Statement 2

Statement 2 says: "No process is possible in which the sole result is the absorption of heat from a reservoir and its complete conversion into work."

• This is the Kelvin-Planck statement of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. It is one of the fundamental postulates of thermodynamics.
• It essentially states that it is impossible to construct a perpetual motion machine of the second kind - a device that would continuously take heat from a single source (like the ocean) and convert it all into useful work, without any other effect (like rejecting some heat to a colder body).
• As this is a fundamental law of physics, Statement 2 is True.

Step 3: Analyze the relationship between Statement 1 and Statement 2

• Statement 1 describes an observed phenomenon: the asymmetry in energy conversion.
• Statement 2 provides the fundamental physical law that governs this phenomenon.
• The reason for the asymmetry mentioned in Statement 1 is precisely the principle articulated in Statement 2. The conversion of heat to work is restricted (it cannot be 100% complete in a cycle), while the conversion of work to heat is not. Statement 2 is the formal statement of this restriction on converting heat to work.
• Therefore, Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1.

Step 4: Final Conclusion

Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are true, and Statement 2 provides the correct scientific explanation for Statement 1. This corresponds to option A.

Final Answer: The correct option is A.