Abstract
The 2nd law of thermodynamics yields an irreversible increase in entropy until thermal equilibrium is achieved. This irreversible increase is often assumed to require large and complex systems to emerge from the reversible microscopic laws of physics. We test this assumption using simulations and theory of a 1D ring of (Formula presented.) Ising spins coupled to an explicit heat bath of (Formula presented.) Einstein oscillators. The simplicity of this system allows the exact entropy to be calculated for the spins and the heat bath for any (Formula presented.), with dynamics that is readily altered from reversible to irreversible. We find thermal-equilibrium behavior in the thermodynamic limit, and in systems as small as (Formula presented.), but both results require microscopic dynamics that is intrinsically irreversible.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 190 |
Journal | Entropy |
Volume | 26 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2024 |
Keywords
- 2nd law of thermodynamics
- arrow of time
- Creutz model
- Einstein oscillators
- Ising model
- maximum entropy
- non-extensive entropy
- stable nanothermodynamics
- thermal equilibrium
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Information Systems
- Mathematical Physics
- Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)
- General Physics and Astronomy
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering