From classical irreversible thermodynamics to extended thermodynamics

Abstract

A brief outline of classical and extended irreversible thermodynamics is presented. Classical irreversible thermodynamics (CIT) is known as an active and fast developing field with numerous applications in continuum mechanics, chemistry and statistical mechanics. Its foundations and principal results are shortly commented. Extended irreversible thermodynamics (EIT) has fuelled an increasing interest during the last decade. Its main objective is to extend the domain of validity of classical non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Here, a short analysis of Lebon-Jou-Casas' version of EIT is presented, it is compared with CIT and the Gyarmati wave approach.