Abstract. In this paper we discuss the meaning of the Schnakenberg formula for entropy production in non-equilibrium systems. To this end we consider a nonequilibrium system as part of a larger isolated system which includes the environment. We prove that the Schnakenberg formula provides only a lower bound to the actual entropy production in the environment. This is also demonstrated in the simplest example of a three-state clock model.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.