Sample interview questions: Describe the principles of nonequilibrium thermodynamics and its relation to irreversible processes.
Sample answer:
Principles of Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics
Nonequilibrium thermodynamics deals with systems that are not in equilibrium and experiencing irreversible processes. It extends classical thermodynamics by considering the effects of time, space, and irreversible phenomena.
- Entropy Production: Irreversible processes lead to the generation of entropy at a rate given by the Clausius inequality.
- Linear Irreversible Thermodynamics: Near equilibrium, the rate of entropy production can be expressed linearly in terms of deviations from equilibrium.
- Onsager Reciprocal Relations: These relations connect the coefficients in the linear irreversible thermodynamics equation, showing the symmetry of macroscopic transport processes.
- Fluctuation-Dissipation Theorem: It relates the equilibrium fluctuations in a system to the corresponding transport coefficients, providing insights into the microscopic origins of irreversibility… Read full answer