Thermal Radiation Effect in the Free Expansion of an Ideal Gas and Gibbs' Paradox in Classical Thermodynamics

2009/01/13 by A. Paglietti, Paglietti, A.
Engineering · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Classical Physics (physics.class-ph) #FOS: Physical sciences #Gas Dynamics and Kinetic Theory #Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamics

paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0901.1799

openalex publication_date 2009/01/13 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

The standard theory of ideal gases ignores the interaction of the gas particles with the thermal radiation (photon gas) that fills the otherwise vacuum space between them. This is an unphysical feature since every material absorbs and radiates thermal energy. This interaction may be important in gases since the latter, unlike solids and liquids are capable of undergoing conspicuous volume changes. Taking it into account makes the behaviour of the ideal gases more realistic and removes Gibbs' paradox.

Related

• Interaction with thermal radiation in the free expansion and mixing of ideal gases and Gibbs' paradox in classical thermodynamics
• Re-recognition of the ideal gas and real gas
• A note on Gibbs paradox
• Study of the possibility of eliminating the Gibbs paradox within the framework of classical thermodynamics
• Quantum Thermodynamics of Non-Ideal Gases