On the unification of mechanics and thermodynamics

We invite all DGMK members and guests to Dresden to the University of Applied Sciences. Professor Dr. Kalies will give a lecture on the topic 'On the unification of mechanics and thermodynamics' hold. Afterwards, we look forward to a lively discussion.

To the lecture

In the second half of the 19th century, Rudolf Clausius and Ludwig Boltzmann proposed to relate the then newly discovered laws of thermodynamics to the laws of mechanics. Thus, the kinetic theory of gases and statistical mechanics were born [1, 2]. In the lecture the opposite way is taken: The laws of mechanics are traced back to the less idealized ones of thermodynamics [3-5]. If one uses the cause-effect principle in any process, abstract state variables such as the gravitational force, the entropy or the chemical potential can be interpreted vividly. Entropy loses its partly mystical character and thermodynamics turns out to be a fundamental physical theory that is capable of more than it is given credit for today.

[1] R. Clausius, Pogg. Ann. 142 (1871) 433-461.
[2] L. Boltzmann, Sitzungsber. kaiserl. Akad. Wiss. Wien 66 (1872) 275-370.
[3] G. Kalies, Z. Phys. Chem. 234 (2020) 1567-1602.
[4] G. Kalies, Z. Phys. Chem. 235 (2021) 849-874.
[5] G. Kalies: Back to the roots: the concepts of force and energy, Z. Phys. Chem. (2021) 1-53; DOI: 10.1515/zpch-2021-3122.

Speaker

Prof. Dr. Grit Kalies

Registration

Registration is closed.