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Equilibrium Thermodynamics




In an equilibrium state there are no unbalanced , subject to accurately specified constraints, to calculate what the state of the system will be once it has reached equilibrium. An equilibrium state is obtained by seeking the extrema of a thermodynamic potential function, whose nature depends on the constraints imposed on the system.

Equilibrium thermodynamics differs from Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics , in that, with the latter, the state of the system under investigation will typically not be uniform but will vary locally in those as energy, entropy, and temperature distributions as gradients are imposed by dissipative thermodynamic fluxes. In equilibrium thermodynamics, by contrast, the state of the system will be considered uniform throughout, defined macroscopically by those quantities as temperature, pressure, or volume. Here, typically, systems are studied as they change from one state to another.


SEE ALSO




REFERENCES


  • Adkins, C.J. (1983). ''Equilibrium Thermodynamics, 3rd Ed''. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

  • Cengel, Y. & Boles, M. (2002). ''Thermodynamics – an Engineering Approach, 4th Ed.'' (textbook). New York: McGraw Hill.

  • Kondepudi, D. & Prigogine, I. (2004). ''Modern Thermodynamics – From Heat Engines to Dissipative Structures'' (textbook). New York: John Wiley & Sons.

  • Perrot, P. (1998). ''A to Z of Thermodynamics'' (dictionary). New York: Oxford University Press.