Physics · Glossary

What is Thermodynamic equilibrium?

Definition 20.2 University Physics — Year 1 · Chapter 20 — Kinetic Theory and the Perfect Gas

A system is in thermodynamic equilibrium when its state variables are uniform and constant in time and no macroscopic flow of matter or energy crosses it. Only then are PP and TT defined for the system as a whole; the equation of state links them to VV and nn.

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