The principle of maximum entropy and the principle of minimum energy lead to inequalities which are useful in testing the validity of fundamental equations. It can be seen that these principles are actually conditions on the curvature of functions containing the variables S, U, V, and n. Several theorems illustrating the nature of these functions are proved by simple methods. The condition for the equivalence of the two principles is shown.
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© 1976 American Association of Physics Teachers.
1976
American Association of Physics Teachers
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