Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
979674 | Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications | 2006 | 22 Pages |
Abstract
The thermodynamic limit and extensivity are central concepts in thermodynamics. In this paper, these are critically examined in light of systems for which they appear inadequate. It is found that their limitations lead to counterintuitive thermodynamic results involving heat flow, phase separations, thermostatistics of gravitating systems and the conversion efficiency of heat into work. Ultimately, these limitations are shown to bear on the utility of entropy and the universality of the second law of thermodynamics.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Mathematics
Mathematical Physics
Authors
D.P. Sheehan, D.H.E. Gross,