Tagged Questions

4
votes
1answer
153 views

Entropy, flow of informations and fundamental theories

In the hierarchy of theories, first comes hamiltonian theory, from which one deduces kinetics theory, and at last thermodynamics and fluid theories. From a kinetics point of view, entropy and ...
2
votes
1answer
128 views

Do all closed systems, only considering kinematic/mechanical principles, exhibit time reversal symmetry?

It makes a lot of sense to me to imagine a cannonball flying through space as not so much experiencing a macroscopic non-conservative drag force, but as pushing a bunch of air molecules and giving ...
2
votes
2answers
688 views

Testing the temperature of an open flame

How, and what device do you need, to obtain the exact temperature of an open flame? For the purpose of this question, you wanted to maintain 375 degrees. You can control the flame, but have no idea ...
0
votes
1answer
722 views

What happens to temperature when pressure is constant in a cylindrical piston of saturated liquid ammonia?

Let's say I have a cylindrical piston containing saturated liquid ammonia that is fitted with an electrical heater and a paddle wheel for stirring at an initial pressure and an initial temperature. ...
11
votes
1answer
571 views

Mechanics + Thermodynamics: Bouncing Ball

In preparation for an exam, I'm revisiting old exam questions. This one seems neat, but also quite complicated: A soccer ball with Radius $R=11cm$ is inflated at a pressure of $P =9 \times 10^4 ...
2
votes
2answers
68 views

In a gas of particles, how is the displacement vector related to the number density?

Suppose I have a gas of particles that is initially uniformly distributed so that the number density is $n_0$ (number of particles per unit volume), and then I displace the particles by the vector ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views

Physical meaning of Legendre transformation

I would like to know the physical meaning of the Legendre transformation, if there is any? I've used it in thermodynamics and mechanics and it seemed only a change of coordinates? Thanks.
3
votes
3answers
800 views

Could life survive a pole shift caused by an asteroid collision?

Could life on earth survive a large pole shift caused by an asteroid collision? I became aware that there are people who believe that the earth's pole suddenly shifts. That is, its rotational ...