Thermal Radiation Effect in the Free Expansion of an Ideal Gas and Gibbs' Paradox in Classical Thermodynamics

Abstract

The standard theory of ideal gases ignores the interaction of the gas particles with the thermal radiation (photon gas) that fills the otherwise vacuum space between them. This is an unphysical feature since every material absorbs and radiates thermal energy. This interaction may be important in gases since the latter, unlike solids and liquids are capable of undergoing conspicuous volume changes. Taking it into account makes the behaviour of the ideal gases more realistic and removes Gibbs' paradox.