Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Reversible and Irreversible Processes01:14

Reversible and Irreversible Processes

5.5K
The thermodynamic processes can be classified into reversible and irreversible processes. The processes that can be restored to their initial state are called reversible processes. It is only possible if the process is in quasi-static equilibrium, i.e., it takes place in infinitesimally small steps, and the system remains at equilibrium However, these are ideal processes and do not occur naturally. An ideal system undergoing a reversible process is always in thermodynamic equilibrium within...
5.5K
Entropy Change in Reversible Processes01:10

Entropy Change in Reversible Processes

3.1K
In the Carnot engine, which achieves the maximum efficiency between two reservoirs of fixed temperatures, the total change in entropy is zero. The observation can be generalized by considering any reversible cyclic process consisting of many Carnot cycles. Thus, it can be stated that the total entropy change of any ideal reversible cycle is zero.
The statement can be further generalized to prove that entropy is a state function. Take a cyclic process between any two points on a p-V diagram.
3.1K
Woodward–Hoffmann Selection Rules and Microscopic Reversibility01:34

Woodward–Hoffmann Selection Rules and Microscopic Reversibility

3.7K
Electrocyclic reactions, cycloadditions, and sigmatropic rearrangements are concerted pericyclic reactions that proceed via a cyclic transition state. These reactions are stereospecific and regioselective. The stereochemistry of the products depends on the symmetry characteristics of the interacting orbitals and the reaction conditions. Accordingly, pericyclic reactions are classified as either symmetry-allowed or symmetry-forbidden. Woodward and Hoffmann presented the selection criteria for...
3.7K
Spontaneity02:21

Spontaneity

28.4K
A spontaneous process is one that occurs naturally under certain conditions. A nonspontaneous process, on the other hand, will not take place unless it is “driven” by the continual input of energy from an external source. Processes have a natural tendency to occur in one direction under a given set of conditions. Water will naturally flow downhill (spontaneous process), but uphill flow (nonspontaneous process) requires outside intervention such as the use of a pump. Iron exposed to...
28.4K
Theories of Dissolution: The Danckwerts' Model and Interfacial Barrier Model01:09

Theories of Dissolution: The Danckwerts' Model and Interfacial Barrier Model

720
Various dissolution theories provide insight into the factors that influence the dissolution rate. Danckwerts' Model suggests that turbulence, rather than a stagnant layer, characterizes the dissolution medium at the solid-liquid interface. In this model, the agitated solvent contains macroscopic packets that move to the interface via eddy currents, facilitating the absorption and delivery of the drug to the bulk solution. The regular replenishment of solvent packets maintains the...
720
States of Matter01:20

States of Matter

2.5K
Solids, liquids, and gases are the three states of matter commonly found on Earth. A solid is rigid and possesses a definite shape. A liquid flows and takes the shape of its container, except it forms a flat or slightly curved upper surface when acted upon by gravity. Both liquid and solid samples have volumes nearly independent of pressure. A gas takes both the shape and volume of its container.
Scientists have discovered a fourth state of matter, plasma, that occurs naturally in the interiors...
2.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Impact of opinion dynamics on recurrent pandemic waves: balancing risk aversion and peer pressure.

Interface focus·2025
Same author

Correction: Global socio-economic losses and environmental gains from the Coronavirus pandemic.

PloS one·2025
Same author

Nonstationary critical phenomena: Expanding the critical point.

Physical review. E·2025
Same author

Multi-scale phylodynamic modelling of rapid punctuated pathogen evolution.

PLoS computational biology·2025
Same author

Emergence of shield immunity during spatial contagions.

Npj complexity·2025
Same author

Why collective behaviours self-organize to criticality: a primer on information-theoretic and thermodynamic utility measures.

Royal Society open science·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics
08:37

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Published on: January 13, 2023

3.1K

Irreversibility and emergent structure in active matter.

Emanuele Crosato1,2, Mikhail Prokopenko1, Richard E Spinney1

  • 1Complex Systems Research Group and Centre for Complex Systems, Faculty of Engineering, The University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia.

Physical Review. E
|November 28, 2019
PubMed
Summary

This study quantifies dynamical irreversibility in active matter systems, revealing a hidden component and its crucial role in phase transitions and emergent structures. Understanding time reversal symmetry is key to active matter thermodynamics.

More Related Videos

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops
06:48

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops

Published on: July 11, 2025

774
Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
08:04

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

7.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 3, 2026

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics
08:37

Forming, Confining, and Observing Microtubule-Based Active Nematics

Published on: January 13, 2023

3.1K
Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops
06:48

Tuning the Contractility and Deformation Modes of Active Actin-Based Assemblies In Vitro: From Two-Dimensional Active Networks to Liquid Crystal Drops

Published on: July 11, 2025

774
Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature
08:04

Controlling Flow Speeds of Microtubule-Based 3D Active Fluids Using Temperature

Published on: November 26, 2019

7.5K

Area of Science:

  • Soft matter physics
  • Non-equilibrium thermodynamics
  • Active matter systems

Background:

  • Active matter is a key paradigm for out-of-equilibrium soft matter.
  • Collective phenomena like motility-induced phase separation and polar alignment are observed.
  • The thermodynamics of these systems, particularly dynamical irreversibility, remain poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the dynamical irreversibility of large-scale active systems.
  • To explore systems exhibiting motility-induced phase separation and polar alignment.
  • To understand the thermodynamics of active matter, including microfeatures and defects.

Main Methods:

  • Modeling active matter with translational and rotational degrees of freedom.
  • Quantifying steady-state irreversibility across the phase diagram.
  • Analyzing the role of time reversal symmetry in particle dynamics.

Main Results:

  • A previously unreported hidden component in active matter dynamics was revealed.
  • Sharp discontinuities in irreversibility were identified at phase transitions.
  • Irreversibility was quantified for individual particles, enabling microfeature analysis.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides a framework for understanding the thermodynamics of active matter.
  • Dynamical irreversibility and its discontinuities are crucial at phase transitions.
  • Interpreting time reversal symmetry is essential for active matter dynamics and thermodynamics.