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Time in Thermodynamics

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Abstract

We use Padoa's principle of independence of primitive symbols in axiomatic systems in order to show that time is dispensable in continuum thermodynamics, according to the axiomatic formulation of Gurtin and Williams. We also show how to define time by means of the remaining primitive concepts of Gurtin and Williams system. Finally, we introduce thermodynamics without time as a primitive concept.

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da Costa, N.C.A., Sant'Anna, A.S. Time in Thermodynamics. Foundations of Physics 32, 1785–1796 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021458908383

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1021458908383

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