Theory 09/Thermodynamics
Entropy Production Has a Floor
The claim
Steady-state entropy production in a driven system reaches a minimum at an intermediate gradient rather than decreasing monotonically toward equilibrium.
01The mechanism
At small gradients, transport is linear and entropy production rises with the gradient; at large ones, nonlinear transport and convection raise it further, so a minimum exists.
02Predictions
- P1Entropy production should show a minimum with gradient.
- P2Systems driven past the minimum should become less efficient.
03Refutation
Monotonic entropy production with gradient would remove the minimum.