Budapest, Hungary
2Department of Theoretical Physics, Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics,
Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Budapest, Hungary
WHAT IS THERMODYNAMICS
AND WHAT IS IT FOR?
Péter Ván1, 2 and Gyula Gróf1
1Department of Energy Engineering, Budapest University of Technology and EconomicsBudapest, Hungary
2Department of Theoretical Physics, Institute for Particle and Nuclear Physics,
Wigner Research Centre for Physics, Hungarian Academy of Sciences
Budapest, Hungary
| INDECS 10(2), 66-72, 2012 DOI 10.7906/indecs.10.2.2 Full text available here. |
Received: 21 May 2011 |
ABSTRACT
Thermodynamics - contrary to its name - is not a dynamic theory. However, some relatively new developments, like finite time, endo-reversible or ordinary thermodynamics introduce time into thermostatics. In this framework the Second Law becomes a set of conditions ensuring the asymptotic stability of equilibrium. In this manuscript some examples are shown, how this basic conceptual change can lead to a profound understanding.
KEY WORDS
thermodynamics, thermostatics, time
CLASSIFICATION
JEL: Q55, Q57
PACS: 05.70.Ce