Searcharxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · physics/0410050

Callen's Adiabatic Piston and the Limits of the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Bruno Crosignani·Paolo Di Porto·Claudio Conti
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

The limits of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which reigns undisputed in the macroscopic world, are investigated at the mesoscopic level, corresponding to spatial dimensions of a few microns. An extremely simple isolated system, modeled after Callen's adiabatic piston, [1] can, under appropriate conditions, be described as a self-organizing Brownian motor and shown to exhibit a perpetuum mobile behavior.

Explore related subjects

physics.class-phphysics.gen-ph

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Bruno Crosignani, Paolo Di Porto, Claudio Conti. 2006-06-08. Callen's Adiabatic Piston and the Limits of the Second Law of Thermodynamics. https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0410050

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Revisiting Routh's Classification of the Heavy Symmetric Top: A Correction

The classification of the motion of a heavy symmetric top when conserved angular momenta are different is studied by considering modern method and Routh's geometrical method. It is shown that Routh's method provides correct classification for four cases; however, it fails in two cases.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2026

An Overview of Classical Scattering by a Lennard-Jones Potential

We present a numerical and conceptual overview of classical scattering under a Lennard-Jones potential. All results were obtained by direct integration of particle trajectories in the two-dimensional plane for varying impact parameters and energies. From these trajectories, we compute deflection functions, identify critical values associated with unstable circular orbits, and visualize non-monotonic behavior in the angular deflection. We construct color maps representing the deflection angle and interaction delay time as functions of energy and impact parameter, and determine the differential cross section from the deflection function, accounting for multi-valued contributions. These results are displayed both as individual plots and as a full color map in the energy-angle plane, providing a detailed picture of the scattering behavior in this central potential.

physics.class-ph↗
arXiv2026

Three Homogenization Models for a Nonlinear Heterogeneous Rod with Microscale Dead Loading

A discrete chain of one-dimensional elements with concentrated elastic stiffness is analyzed to investigate the effect of self-equilibrated dead loads acting at the microscale. Three homogenization models are formulated for a finite chain whose total length is much larger than the unit-cell length. Model (i) homogenizes the elastic properties and the microscopic loading simultaneously, yielding an equivalent rod with homogeneous axial and flexural stiffnesses, an effective prestress state, and a distribution of nonlinear rotational springs. In Models (ii) and (iii), the microforces remain periodically distributed as external loads. Model (ii) has homogeneous axial and flexural stiffnesses, whereas Model (iii) retains piecewise-constant axial stiffness. Model (i) is shown to recover the continuum limit of the fully loaded discrete system and to provide the most accurate, fully homogenized description. Incorporating the microforces into the nonlinear homogenization procedure produces an unconventional prestress and a distributed rotational constraint, including rotational springs with negative tangent stiffness. The nonlinear equilibrium equation of Model (i) admits a closed-form solution in terms of elliptic functions, enabling analysis of large deflections and initial post-buckling behavior of a cantilever. The model predicts tensile and compressive buckling, as well as restabilization of the straight configuration. Finally, combined control of the end load and microforces is explored for soft-robotic actuation. Suitable loading paths allow switching between straight and bent configurations and changing the bifurcation character from supercritical to subcritical.

physics.class-ph↗