Question

consider a spring with mass m=1g in Earth's gravitational field (ie on Earth). Suppose that when the spring has an end to end length of x, the spring exerts a force given by F(x)=-k(x-x₀), when k=10N/cm is the spring constant and x₀=1.0cm is the spring's equilibrium length. Note that F<0 when x>x₀ is a restoring force pulling in, while f>0 when x<x₀ is a restoring force pushing out. Suppose that the spring also has a well-defined temperature T.

A) what variables are necessary to specify the thermodynamic equilibrium state of the spring?

Answer 1

The condition of thermodynamic equilibrium of a system can be studied by using thermodynamic potentials : A Helmholtz potential ( or Helmholtz Energy ) : If a system is contacted with a termostasto (T = constant ) , the potential A is minimized. The system will be in thermal equilibrium if A is minimal. Enthalpy H : If a system is in contact with a work ( P = constant ) potential H is minimized. The system will be in mechanical equilibrium if H is minimal. Gibbs energy G : If a system is contacted with a termostasto (T = constant ) and a source of work ( P = constant ) potential G is minimized. The system will be in thermal equilibrium , mechanical equilibrium if G is minimal.