The Rectified Second Law of Thermodynamics

Details The Rectified Second Law of Thermodynamics The Rectified Second Law of Thermodynamics

2006-05-12

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/0605339v2

Physics

Condensed Matter

Statistical Mechanics

24 pages, no figures

Scientific paper

Equilibrium thermodynamics is combined with Jarzynski's irreversible work theorem to quantify the excess entropy produced by irreversible processes. The resulting rectified form of the second law parallels the first law, in the sense that it facilitates the experimental measurement of excess entropy changes resulting from irreversible work and heat exchanges, just as the first law quantifies energy changes produced by either reversible or irreversible work and heat exchanges. The general form of the rectified second law is further applied to a sub-class of quasi-static irreverisble (QSI) processes, for which all the thermodynamic functions of both the system and surroundings remain continuously well-defined, thus facilitating excess entropy measurements by integrating exact differential functions along QSI paths. The results are illustrated by calculating the mechanical and thermal excess entropy produced by the irreversible unfolding of an RNA molecule.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Rectified Second Law of Thermodynamics 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 The Rectified Second Law of Thermodynamics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Rectified Second Law of Thermodynamics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-596349