The thermodynamic equilibrium of gas in a box divided by a piston

Abstract

The equilibrium conditions of a system consisting of a box with gas divided by a piston are revised. The apparent indetermination of the problem is solved by explicitly imposing the constancy of the internal energy when the Entropy Maximum Principle is applied. The equality of the pressures is naturally concluded from this principle when the piston is allowed to spontaneously move. The application of the Energy Minimum Principle is also revised.