Thermodynamic systems as extremal hypersurfaces

Details Thermodynamic systems as extremal hypersurfaces Thermodynamic systems as extremal hypersurfaces

2011-01-18

arxiv.org/abs/1101.3359v1

J.Geom.Phys.60:1942-1949,2010

Physics

Mathematical Physics

Scientific paper

10.1016/j.geomphys.2010.08.001

We apply variational principles in the context of geometrothermodynamics. The thermodynamic phase space ${\cal T}$ and the space of equilibrium states ${\cal E}$ turn out to be described by Riemannian metrics which are invariant with respect to Legendre transformations and satisfy the differential equations following from the variation of a Nambu-Goto-like action. This implies that the volume element of ${\cal E}$ is an extremal and that ${\cal E}$ and ${\cal T}$ are related by an embedding harmonic map. We explore the physical meaning of geodesic curves in ${\cal E}$ as describing quasi-static processes that connect different equilibrium states. We present a Legendre invariant metric which is flat (curved) in the case of an ideal (van der Waals) gas and satisfies Nambu-Goto equations. The method is used to derive some new solutions which could represent particular thermodynamic systems.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Thermodynamic systems as extremal hypersurfaces 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 Thermodynamic systems as extremal hypersurfaces, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Thermodynamic systems as extremal hypersurfaces will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-285829