Thermodynamics of relation-based systems with applications in econophysics, sociophysics, and music

► The thermodynamics of three relation-based evolving systems (NASDAQ-100, a social revolt, and a melody) was uncovered. ► The viscoelastic behavior of such systems can be predicted from their scattering diagrams using the slopes of pathways. ► The elastic and viscous components of pathways can be used to determine work-like and heat-like terms, respectively.