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 |
|---|
| The classical Carnot heat engine |
|
Branches
Classical · Statistical · Chemical Equilibrium / Non-equilibrium |
| Laws Zeroth · First · Second · Third |
|
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:“They who feel cannot keep their minds in the equilibrium of a pair of scales: fear and hope have no equiponderant weights.” Related Phrases
Related Words
|