A Review of Macroscopic Motion in Thermodynamic Equilibrium

Abstract

A principle on the macroscopic motion of systems in thermodynamic equilibrium, rarely discussed in texts, is reviewed: Very small but still macroscopic parts of a fully isolated system in thermal equilibrium move as if points of a rigid body, macroscopic energy being dissipated to increase internal energy, and increase entropy along. It appears particularly important in Space physics, when dissipation involves long-range fields at Electromagnetism and Gravitation, rather than short-range contact forces. It is shown how new physics, Special Relativity as regards Electromagnetism, first Newtonian theory then General Relativity as regards Gravitation, determine different dissipative processes involved in the approach to that equilibrium.