Re: Thermodynamics

PD Wrote:

Thanks ofr the reply

I don't think this works. Consider parallel electric circuits, where
energy is deposited along both paths simultaneously. This "parallel
circuit" analysis also applies to magnetic flux, to heat flow, to fluid
flow, and a variety of other circumstances.

I think we are talking at crossed purposes - you're right, in all your
examples above, it just depends on your definition of route. In your
example above you're considering multiple routes, whereas I was
considering the resistance met along a single route that would affect
the path. In each of the examples you give, there will be density
variations that will lead to variations in route. For instance, your
electrical circuit example appears to imply that current flows equally
along both circuits (I know you haven't said this, but I take
that's the gist), and therefore each path has equal resistance. In
reality, this is unlikely and there would be variation in voltage and
current between the circuits.

Even in quantum mechanics, the path integral formulation says that all
paths between initial and final states contribute to the total process
(though in this case there is entanglement between the various paths
and consequent interference phenomena that are not considered in the
classical examples).

Again this depends on what you consider to be the route. The path
integral formulation is a description of quantum theory that
generalises the action principle of classical mechanics. In this thread
I'm more interested in the invoking of, and change in, the route than
the actual mechanism of energy dissapation, however, having said that I
not a big fan of generalisations and would prefer to see a detailed
model over statistics - although I do admire Feynman!

Best regards

SCW

.

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