An Account of Thermodynamic Entropy

Author(s): Alberto Gianinetti

DOI: 10.2174/9781681083933117010004

Entropy in Classical Thermodynamics: The Importance of Reversibility

Pp: 8-17 (10)

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Abstract

The concept of entropy is introduced within the context of classical thermodynamics where it was first developed to answer the questions: What happens when heat spontaneously goes from hot bodies to cold ones? To figure out this change, the transfer process must have some peculiar features that make it reversible. First of all, to be studied, systems and processes must be conceptualised as occurring at equilibrium conditions, or in conditions close to equilibrium. A first description of equilibrium is provided.

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