Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics of Continuous Media

Abstract

In the present paper a non-equilibrium theory of thermodynamics is developed. The approach is based mainly on an inaccessibility statement of the second law which is an extension of that used by Caratheodory in the classical theory of thermodynamics. Application of the second law relies on a precise definition of the local thermodynamic state and on a clear distinction between the local state of a system and the processes which determine the way the system is changing. The second law is used to establish the existence of absolute temperature and entropy in non-equilibrium situations. Further use of the second law yields a global entropy inequality from which a local entropy inequality can be derived. Finally, the theory is illustrated by applying it to four broad classes of materials.