Comment on Remarks on the Information Entropy Maximization Method and Extended Thermodynamics

Published

October 16, 2008

Author(s)

B Robertson

Abstract

A recent paper by B. C. Eu discusses maximum entropy Jaynes, 1957}, the projection-operator technique, Zwanzig, 1960} and extended thermodynamics. It analyzes a paper by Nettleton 1997} that uses a previous general formalism Robertson, 1966} to derive evolution equations for extended thermodynamics. The formalism combines the maximum-entropy method Jaynes, 1957} with the projection-operator method Zwanzig, 1960} and derives exact evolution equations for a set of macroscopic variables. The equations are statistical mechanical generalizations Robertson 1967} of the equations of non equilibrium thermodynamics and thus are useful for a large class of experiments. Reviews of this work describe the derivation clearly and give references to applications.Robertson, 1979,1993} Although Eu makes some valid points about extended thermodynamics, many of his remarks are in effect critical of the original derivation as well as of Nettleton's application of it. These remarks are just claims made without any supporting evidence---much less a proof. The present Comment examines only the most important of his claims that are relevant to the original formalism Robertson, 1966} and disproves them.

Citation

Journal of Chemical Physics

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

entropy increase, heat conduction, irreversibility, nonquilibrium statistical mechanics

Citation

Robertson, B. (2008), Comment on Remarks on the Information Entropy Maximization Method and Extended Thermodynamics, Journal of Chemical Physics (Accessed June 17, 2024)