Physics – Condensed Matter – Statistical Mechanics
Scientific paper
2001-09-28
Physics
Condensed Matter
Statistical Mechanics
33 pages, 4 figures, to appear in J. Stat. Phys
Scientific paper
We consider the evolution of a system composed of $N$ non-interacting point particles of mass $m$ in a cylindrical container divided into two regions by a movable adiabatic wall (the adiabatic piston). We study the thermodynamic limit for the piston where the area $A$ of the cross-section, the mass $M$ of the piston, and the number $N$ of particles go to infinity keeping $A/M$ and $N/M$ fixed. The length of the container is a fixed parameter which can be either finite or infinite. In this thermodynamic limit we show that the motion of the piston is deterministic and the evolution is adiabatic. Moreover if the length of the container is infinite, we show that the piston evolves toward a stationary state with velocity approximately proportional to the pressure difference. If the length of the container is finite, introducing a simplifying assumption we show that the system evolves with either weak or strong damping toward a well-defined state of mechanical equilibrium where the pressures are the same, but the temperatures different. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate possible evolutions and to check the validity of the assumption.
Gruber Christian
Lesne Annick
Pache Séverine
No associations
LandOfFree
Deterministic motion of the controversial piston in the thermodynamic limit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Deterministic motion of the controversial piston in the thermodynamic limit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Deterministic motion of the controversial piston in the thermodynamic limit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-155093