A brand-new conceptual look at dynamical thermodynamics
This book merges the two universalisms of thermodynamics and dynamical
systems theory in a single compendium, with the latter providing an
ideal language for the former, to develop a new and unique framework for
dynamical thermodynamics. In particular, the book uses system-theoretic
ideas to bring coherence, clarity, and precision to an important and
poorly understood classical area of science. The dynamical systems
formalism captures all of the key aspects of thermodynamics, including
its fundamental laws, while providing a mathematically rigorous
formulation for thermodynamical systems out of equilibrium by unifying
the theory of mechanics with that of classical thermodynamics.
This book includes topics on nonequilibrium irreversible thermodynamics,
Boltzmann thermodynamics, mass-action kinetics and chemical reactions,
finite-time thermodynamics, thermodynamic critical phenomena with
continuous and discontinuous phase transitions, information theory,
continuum and stochastic thermodynamics, and relativistic
thermodynamics.
A Dynamical Systems Theory of Thermodynamics develops a postmodern
theory of thermodynamics as part of mathematical dynamical systems
theory. The book establishes a clear nexus between thermodynamic
irreversibility, the second law of thermodynamics, and the arrow of time
to further unify discreteness and continuity, indeterminism and
determinism, and quantum mechanics and general relativity in the pursuit
of understanding the most fundamental property of the universe--the
entropic arrow of time.
