通过热力学与电学的类比加深对于熵的理解

恰当地开展分支学科之间的类比是理解物理学的一条有效途径。在借鉴电荷概念引入热荷概念之后,继而直接将熵定义为热荷量,使之成为一个通俗易懂的物理量。以此为基础,在电流与熵流的连续性、驱动力,以及它们与能流之间的关系和电流与熵流在流动过程中的熵产生等方面对热力学与电学进行了较为全面的类比。这样不仅能凸显出热力学与电学的一些基本物理过程之间的相似性或共性,以及客观世界的内在和谐性,而且能更加鲜明地反衬出它们之间的差异即各自的个性,从而加深对于熵的理解。

A More In-Depth Understanding of Entropy by Drawing Analogy Between Thermodynamics and Electricity

To make correct analogies between different branches of physics is an effective way to understand physics as a whole. By studying the concept of electric charge in electricity, the idea of thermal charge was introduced in thermodynamics. Entropy was then defined as quantity of thermal charge. Accordingly, it is now a physical quantity that is more understandable. Based on this, further comprehensive analogies were made between thermodynamics and electricity including the continuity and driving forces of electric current and entropy current, their relations with energy current as well as the entropy generated in both currents. Consequently, the analogies highlight the similarities and commonalities in the physical processes in thermodynamics and electricity, signify the harmony within the objective world, but also reveal the unique characteristics and differences between the two. Thus, we are allowed to understand entropy more in depth.