ANZIAM  J.  48 (2007), 493-501

Thermodynamics, Mnemonic Matrices and Generalized Inverses

R. B. Leipnik   (Deceased October 10, 2006)   Department of Mathematics   UC Santa Barbara   CA 93106-3080   USA     C. E. M. Pearce   School of Mathematical Sciences   University of Adelaide   Adelaide, 5005   Australia charles.pearce@adelaide.edu.au

Abstract

We present an alternative matrix mnemonic for the basic equations of simple thermodynamics. When normalized, this permits an explicit generalized inverse, allowing inversion of the mechanical and chemical thermodynamic equations. As an application, the natural variables S, V, P and T are derived from the four energies E (internal), F (free), G (Gibbs) and H (enthalpy).

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