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Updated: May 1, 2026
11:03
An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
Published on: December 4, 2017
7.6K
Inconsistencies in steady-state thermodynamics.
Ronald Dickman1, Ricardo Motai1
1Departamento de Física and National Institute of Science and Technology for Complex Systems, ICEx, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, C. P. 702, 30123-970 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Summary
Defining effective chemical potential and temperature in nonequilibrium steady states is possible for some systems. The zeroth law of thermodynamics is satisfied in specific driven lattice gases, but violated in others.
Area of Science:
- Statistical mechanics
- Non-equilibrium thermodynamics
- Condensed matter physics
Background:
- Extending thermodynamic laws to nonequilibrium steady states (NESS) is a fundamental challenge.
- Consistent definitions for effective chemical potential (μ) and temperature (Te) are crucial for describing NESS.
- Stochastic lattice gases provide a tractable model for studying these phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the possibility of defining consistent effective chemical potential (μ) and temperature (Te) in driven stochastic lattice gases.
- To determine if these effective parameters satisfy the zeroth law of thermodynamics in NESS.
- To analyze the conditions under which the zeroth law is violated or upheld.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of driven stochastic lattice gases, including nearest-neighbor exclusion and Katz-Lebowitz-Spohn models.
- Determination of effective chemical potential and temperature via coexistence conditions (zero particle and energy flux).
- Analytical and numerical evaluation of the zeroth law's validity for different exchange rates and system-reservoir couplings.
Main Results:
- In lattice gases with nearest-neighbor exclusion, a consistent effective chemical potential (μ) was found, satisfying the zeroth law.
- For the Katz-Lebowitz-Spohn model, the zeroth law was analytically shown to be violated for Metropolis exchange rates, with numerical quantification of violations.
- The Sasa-Tasaki system-reservoir coupling was identified as an exception, upholding the zeroth law due to its state-independent acceptance rate.
Conclusions:
- Consistent definitions of effective thermodynamic parameters (μ, Te) are achievable in certain NESS models.
- The validity of the zeroth law in NESS is sensitive to the specific model and the employed system-reservoir coupling mechanism.
- The Sasa-Tasaki coupling offers a promising route for consistent thermodynamic descriptions in driven systems.
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