The second law of thermodynamics as a force law

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Abstract

The second law of thermodynamics states the increase of entropy, ΔS > 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.

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APA

Schlitter, J. (2018). The second law of thermodynamics as a force law. Entropy, 20(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/e20040234

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