The Second Law of Thermodynamics as a Force Law
The second law of thermodynamics states the increase of entropy, Δ S > 0 , for real processes from state A to state B at constant energy from chemistry over biological life and engines to cosmic events. The connection of entropy to information, phase-space, and heat is helpful but does...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2018-03-01
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| Series: | Entropy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/20/4/234 |
| _version_ | 1828372036305551360 |
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| author | Jürgen Schlitter |
| author_facet | Jürgen Schlitter |
| author_sort | Jürgen Schlitter |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The second law of thermodynamics states the increase of entropy, Δ S > 0 , for real processes from state A to state B at constant energy from chemistry over biological life and engines to cosmic events. The connection of entropy to information, phase-space, and heat is helpful but does not immediately convince observers of the validity and basis of the second law. This gave grounds for finding a rigorous, but more easily acceptable reformulation. Here, we show using statistical mechanics that this principle is equivalent to a force law ⟨ ⟨ f ⟩ ⟩ > 0 in systems where mass centers and forces can be identified. The sign of this net force--the average mean force along a path from A to B--determines the direction of the process. The force law applies to a wide range of processes from machines to chemical reactions. The explanation of irreversibility by a driving force appears more plausible than the traditional formulation as it emphasizes the cause instead of the effect of motions. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T06:57:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e9c5c0a0e93144bab3f813cd2bce082a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1099-4300 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T06:57:39Z |
| publishDate | 2018-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Entropy |
| spelling | doaj.art-e9c5c0a0e93144bab3f813cd2bce082a2022-12-22T02:06:50ZengMDPI AGEntropy1099-43002018-03-0120423410.3390/e20040234e20040234The Second Law of Thermodynamics as a Force LawJürgen Schlitter0Biophysics, Ruhr-University Bochum, 44780 Bochum, GermanyThe second law of thermodynamics states the increase of entropy, Δ S > 0 , for real processes from state A to state B at constant energy from chemistry over biological life and engines to cosmic events. The connection of entropy to information, phase-space, and heat is helpful but does not immediately convince observers of the validity and basis of the second law. This gave grounds for finding a rigorous, but more easily acceptable reformulation. Here, we show using statistical mechanics that this principle is equivalent to a force law ⟨ ⟨ f ⟩ ⟩ > 0 in systems where mass centers and forces can be identified. The sign of this net force--the average mean force along a path from A to B--determines the direction of the process. The force law applies to a wide range of processes from machines to chemical reactions. The explanation of irreversibility by a driving force appears more plausible than the traditional formulation as it emphasizes the cause instead of the effect of motions.http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/20/4/234statistical mechanicsirreversibilityarrow of timechemical dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Jürgen Schlitter The Second Law of Thermodynamics as a Force Law Entropy statistical mechanics irreversibility arrow of time chemical dynamics |
| title | The Second Law of Thermodynamics as a Force Law |
| title_full | The Second Law of Thermodynamics as a Force Law |
| title_fullStr | The Second Law of Thermodynamics as a Force Law |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Second Law of Thermodynamics as a Force Law |
| title_short | The Second Law of Thermodynamics as a Force Law |
| title_sort | second law of thermodynamics as a force law |
| topic | statistical mechanics irreversibility arrow of time chemical dynamics |
| url | http://www.mdpi.com/1099-4300/20/4/234 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jurgenschlitter thesecondlawofthermodynamicsasaforcelaw AT jurgenschlitter secondlawofthermodynamicsasaforcelaw |