Challenges to the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Theory and Experiment

ISBN-13: 9781402030154 / Angielski / Twarda / 2005 / 372 str.

Vladislav Capek; Daniel P. Sheehan; Vladislav Cpek

Opis

The advance of scienti?c thought in ways resembles biological and geologic transformation: long periods of gradual change punctuated by episodes of radical upheaval. Twentieth century physics witnessed at least three major shifts relativity, quantum mechanics and chaos theory as well many lesser ones. Now, st early in the 21, another shift appears imminent, this one involving the second law of thermodynamics. Over the last 20 years the absolute status of the second law has come under increased scrutiny, more than during any other period its 180-year history. Since the early 1980 s, roughly 50 papers representing over 20 challenges have appeared in the refereed scienti?c literature. In July 2002, the ?rst conference on its status was convened at the University of San Diego, attended by 120 researchers from 25 countries (QLSL2002) 1]. In 2003, the second edition of Le? s and Rex s classic anthology on Maxwell demons appeared 2], further raising interest in this emerging ?eld. In 2004, the mainstream scienti?c journal Entropy published a special edition devoted to second law challenges 3]. And, in July 2004, an echo of QLSL2002 was held in Prague, Czech Republic 4]. Modern second law challenges began in the early 1980 s with the theoretical proposals of Gordon and Denur. Starting in the mid-1990 s, several proposals for experimentally testable challenges were advanced by Sheehan, et al. By the late 1990 s and early 2000 s, a rapid succession of theoretical quantum mechanical ? challenges were being advanced by C apek, et al."

Recenzje

From the reviews:

"This volume, appropriately entitled Challenges, was a collaboration ... . It is extraordinarily well researched and beautifully organized; it may be approached on many levels by students and 'lay' people ... . It should also be read by experienced theoretical physicists, chemists and mathematicians and by experimental physicists ... . The various typefaces, paper stock and binding are all good. With its many illustrations and few equations this book will be a useful supplement to any elementary course in thermodynamics ... ." (Daniel C. Mattis, Journal of Scientific Exploration, Vol. 20 (3), 2006)

"Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics are two of the most difficult concepts for the student of physics. ... In the main, Challenges to the second law of thermodynamics is an excellent piece of work which should provide an adequate coverage of this intriguing topic to advanced students and researchers in physics." (P. Narayana Swamy, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2008 b)

Spis treści

Preface Acknowledgements 1: Entropy and the Second Law 1.1 Early Thermodynamics 1.2 The Second Law: Twenty-One Formulations 1.3 Entropy: Twenty-One Varieties 1.4 Nonequilibrium Entropy 1.5 Entropy and the Second Law: Discussion 1.6 Zeroth and Third Laws of Thermodynamics References 2: Challenges (1870-1980) 2.1 Maxwell’s Demon and Other Victorian Devils 2.2 Exorcising Demons 2.3 Inviolability Arguments 2.4 Candidate Second Law Challenges References 3: Modern Quantum Challenges: Theory 3.1 Prolegomenon 3.2 Thermodynamic Limit and Weak Coupling 3.3 Beyond Weak Coupling: Quantum Correlations 3.4 Allahverdyan and Nieuwenhuizen Theorem 3.5 Scaling and Beyond 3.6 Quantum Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Models 3.7 Disputed Quantum Models 3.8 Kinetics in the DC Limit 3.9 Theoretical Summary References 4: Low-Temperature Experiments and Proposals 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Superconductivity 4.3 Keefe CMCE Engine 4.4 Nikulov Inhomogeneous Loop 4.5 Bose-Einstein Condensation and the Second Law 4.6 Quantum Coherence and Entanglement References 5: Modern Classical Challenges 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Gordon Membrane Models 5.3 Denur Challenges 5.4 Crosignani-Di Porto Adiabatic Piston 5.5 Trupp Electrocaloric Cycle 5.6 Liboff Tri-Channel 5.7 Thermodynamic Gas Cycles References 6: Gravitational Challenges 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Asymmetric Gravitator Model 6.3 Loschmidt Gravito-Thermal Effect References 7: Chemical Nonequilibrium Steady States 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Chemical Paradox and Detailed Balance 7.3 Pressure Gradients and Reactions Rates 7.4 Numerical Simulations 7.5 Laboratory Experiments 7.6 Discussion and Outlook References 8: Plasma Paradoxes 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Plasma I System 8.3 Plasma II System 8.4 Jones andCruden Criticisms References 9: MEMS/NEMS Devices 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Thermal Capacitors 9.3 Linear Electrostatic Motor (LEM) 9.4 Hammer-Anvil Model 9.5 Experimental Prospects References 10: Special Topics 10.1 Rubrics for Classical Challenges 10.2 Thermosynthetic Life 10.3 Physical Eschatology 10.4 The Second Law Mystique References Color Plates Index

Blurb

The second law of thermodynamics is considered one of the central laws of science, engineering and technology. For over a century it has been assumed to be inviolable by the scientific community. Over the last 10-20 years, however, more than two dozen challenges to it have appeared in the physical literature - more than during any other period in its 150-year history. The number and variety of these represent a cogent threat to its absolute status. This is the first book to document and critique these modern challenges. Written by two leading exponents of this rapidly emerging field, it covers the theoretical and experimental aspects of principal challenges. In addition, unresolved foundational issues concerning entropy and the second law are explored. This book should be of interest to anyone whose work or research is touched by the second law.