On the Thermodynamics of a Room, a Heater and a Window
Published: 2013-10-07
Page: 166-180
Issue: 2014 - Volume 4 [Issue 1]
Andrea Di Vita *
DICCA, Universita’ di Genova-1, via Montallegro, 16145 Genova, Italy
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In depth discussion of thermodynamics of a familiar system made of a room, a heater and a window reveals the rich complexity underlying the deceptively simple assumption of local thermodynamic equilibrium. It displays also the failure of available approaches to non-equilibrium thermodynamics.
Keywords: Non-equilibrium thermodynamics, stability, local thermodynamical equilibrium