On entropy production in nonequilibrium systems

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the meaning of the Schnakenberg formula for entropy production in non-equilibrium systems. To this end we consider a non-equilibrium system as part of a larger isolated system which includes the environment. We prove that the Schnakenberg formula provides only a lower bound to the actual entropy production in the environment. This is also demonstrated in the simplest example of a three-state clock model.