How is the 2nd law of thermodynamics obeyed in this system?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the implications of the second law of thermodynamics in a system utilizing a Winston cone for radiation concentration. The setup, characterized by multiple layers of foil for insulation, initially maintains thermal equilibrium. The introduction of the Winston cone increases the radiation emitted through a smaller opening, leading to a potential decrease in internal temperature, which contradicts the second law. The conversation concludes that the entropy decrease is prevented by the geometric relationship between area and view factor, ensuring energy exchange remains balanced at thermal equilibrium.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the second law of thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with thermal radiation concepts
  • Knowledge of Winston cone design and function
  • Basic principles of view factor in radiative heat transfer
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the principles of thermal radiation and emissivity
  • Study the design and applications of Winston cones in thermal systems
  • Research the mathematical formulation of view factors in radiative heat transfer
  • Investigate entropy changes in isolated systems and their implications
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, engineers, and students studying thermodynamics, particularly those interested in thermal radiation systems and entropy dynamics.

Christofer Br
Messages
51
Reaction score
0
Imagine there is an radiation concentrator (winston cone) surrounded with extremely many layers of foil for radiation insulation, except at the smaller opening. Every part of the setup is initially in thermal equilibrium with the surroundings. The amount of thermal radiation flowing through the smaller opening in both directions through the hole would be the same in both directions, except since on one side we attached a winstone cone, there will be more radiation coming out into the surroundings from the inside of the setup since some of the radiation that otherwise would miss the opening is being focused on it by the winstone cone. We assume that the energy losses through the insulation are vastly smaller than the energy of radiation focused on the opening by the winston cone.

It seems now that since there is more radiation coming out of the setup than coming in [through the opening], the temperature inside would spontaneously lower until the lower temperature radiation coming out has the same energy flux as the radiation coming in.
This of course would be at odds with the second law of thermodynamics. How is the entropy decrease prevented in this case?
In case you start wondering about the emissivity of the winstone cone and the foil at its larger opening, note that the 'surroundings' can substitued for a box with an opening shared with the winstone cone, with sides lined with metal (the same material as winston cone), if we consider an isolated system
 
Science news on Phys.org
It is not only the area, but also the solid angle or view factor which is important.

Suppose that you have a small flat source radiating thermal energy. It does not send its energy in a sharp beam normal to the surface, but it sends it out over all ##2\pi## steradians. If a receiving surface only covers ##1\pi## steradian then the “view factor” is 0.5 and only half of the energy emitted by the first surface is received by the second surface.

Due to geometry you are guaranteed that any increase in area is associated with a decrease in view factor. So although you can make a large area exchange energy with a small area, only a small portion of the large area’s energy can exchange while a large portion of the small area’s energy will exchange. The product of the area and the view factor are the same on both sides.

The net result is that the exchange is geometrically guaranteed equal at thermal equilibrium.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: sophiecentaur

Similar threads

  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
3K
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
5K
  • · Replies 152 ·
6
Replies
152
Views
11K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 135 ·
5
Replies
135
Views
8K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K