Tangible Phenomenological Thermodynamics
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Date
2019
Publication Type
Doctoral Thesis
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yes
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Abstract
In this thesis, the foundations of classical phenomenological thermodynamics are being thoroughly revisited. A new rigorous basis for thermodynamics is laid out in the main text and presented in full detail in the appendix. All relevant concepts, such as work, heat, internal energy, heat reservoirs, reversibility, absolute temperature and entropy, are introduced on an abstract level in a way that their intuitive meaning is reflected in the mathematical structure and connected through traditional results, such as Carnot’s Theorem, Clausius’ Theorem and the Entropy Theorem. The thesis offers insights into the basic assumptions one has to make in order to formally introduce a phenomenological thermodynamic theory. This contribution is of particular importance when applying phenomenological thermodynamics to systems, such as black holes, where the microscopic physics is not yet fully understood. We also show that the framework can do without the zeroth law as a postulate, while the first and second law are part of the basic set of postulates. Regarding the third law, we show that its traditional forms cannot be part of a basic set of postulates. Altogether, this thesis can serve as a basis for a complete and rigorous introduction to thermodynamics in an undergraduate course which follows the traditional lines as closely as possible.
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published
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ETH Zurich
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Subject
Thermodynamics; Phenomenological models; Foundations of Physics; MATHEMATICAL MODELING IN PHYSICS
Organisational unit
03781 - Renner, Renato / Renner, Renato