In thermodynamics, a thermodynamic system is in thermodynamic equilibrium when it is in thermal equilibrium, mechanical equilibrium, radiative equilibrium, and chemical equilibrium. Equilibrium means a state of balance. In a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, there are no net flows of matter or of energy, no phase changes, and no unbalanced potentials (or driving forces), within the system. A system that is in thermodynamic equilibrium experiences no changes when it is isolated from its surroundings.
In non-equilibrium systems there are net flows of matter or energy, or phase changes are occurring; if such changes can be triggered to occur in a system in which they are not already occurring, it is said to be in a metastable equilibrium.
| Thermodynamics |
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| The classical Carnot heat engine |
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Branches
Classical · Statistical · Chemical Equilibrium / Non-equilibrium |
| Laws Zeroth · First · Second · Third |
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Systems
State: Equation of state Ideal gas · Real gas Phase of matter · Equilibrium Control volume · Instruments Read more about Thermodynamic Equilibrium: Overview, Local and Global Equilibrium, General References Famous quotes containing the word equilibrium:“When a person hasn’t in him that which is higher and stronger than all external influences, it is enough for him to catch a good cold in order to lose his equilibrium and begin to see an owl in every bird, to hear a dog’s bark in every sound.” |