/
Article

Thermodynamics and geometry

MAR 01, 1976
In the fulfillment of a goal envisioned by Gibbs, the laws of thermodynamics have been written in the form of a Euclidian metric geometry; its formulas can be read off from simple diagrams.
Frank Weinhold

It is perhaps appropriate that, in a year marking the 100th anniversary of his landmark paper in thermodynamics, new developments should call fresh attention to the special beauty and profundity of the work of J. Willard Gibbs. Recent work has proved the possibility of constructing a new representation of equilibrium thermodynamics, one that is couched in a mathematical language—an intrinsically geometrical structure—quite different from that generally employed.

This article is only available in PDF format

References

  1. 1. F. Weinhold, J. Chem. Phys. 63, 2479, 24842488, 2496 (1975); https://doi.org/JCPSA6
    F. Weinhold, 65 (1976) (to be published).https://doi.org/JCPSA6 , J. Chem. Phys.

  2. 2. H. B. Callen, Thermodynamics, John Wiley, New York (1960), page 48.

  3. 3. J. W. Gibbs, Trans. Conn. Acad. Arts Sci. 2, 309, 382 (1873); https://doi.org/TCAAAL
    The Collected Works of J. Willard Gibbs, Longmans, Green, New York (1928);
    Dover, New York (1961); volume I, pages 1, 33.

  4. 4. P. Dennery, A. Krzywicki, Mathematics for Physicists, Harper and Row, New York (1967), page 109.

  5. 5. C. Carathéodory, Math. Ann. 67, 355 (1909).https://doi.org/MAANA3

  6. 6. J. W. Gibbs, Elementary Principles of Statistical Mechanics, Dover, New York (1960), preface.

  7. 7. J. von Neumann, Mathematical Foundations of Quantum Mechanics, Princeton U.P., Princeton, N.J. (1955).

More about the authors

Frank Weinhold, Stanford University.

Related content
/
Article
Researchers don’t need to do science engagement alone. Working with professionals makes the job easier and more effective and can lead to better science.
/
Article
Even a limited nuclear war could disrupt the climate, ecosystems, and global food supplies. Nuclear strategies and decisions should be required to factor in those potential consequences.
/
Article
To go beyond classical models and tie our understanding of gravity to the quantum world, experiments are needed.
/
Article
The first African American physicist to earn a PhD made the best of a difficult career path.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_1976_03.jpeg

Volume 29, Number 3

Get PT newsletters in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.