Is it possible to apply thermodynamics to magnetic/weak/nuclear fields

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SUMMARY

This discussion explores the application of thermodynamics to magnetic, weak, and nuclear fields, specifically in the context of quantum physics. It highlights the concept of thermal quantum field theory, which addresses how temperature influences force fields, particularly at extreme conditions such as the QCD energy scale of approximately 1012 kelvins. The melting of hadrons into quarks under these conditions exemplifies the intersection of thermodynamics and fundamental forces, particularly the strong interaction. The conversation emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of thermodynamics in relation to quantum fields.

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  • Understanding of thermodynamics principles, including entropy and temperature.
  • Familiarity with quantum physics concepts, particularly thermal quantum field theory.
  • Knowledge of quantum chromodynamics (QCD) and its implications for particle physics.
  • Basic grasp of fundamental forces in physics, excluding gravity.
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  • Research thermal quantum field theory and its applications in modern physics.
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  • Explore the relationship between temperature and phase transitions in particle physics.
  • Investigate the implications of entropy in quantum systems and force fields.
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Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the intersection of thermodynamics and fundamental forces will benefit from this discussion.

Ignorantsmith12
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It's pretty much as the thread's title says, except that I also wanted to know how thermodynamics might affect the forces from those fields. Also, when I mean nuclear field, I am not just referring to the force holding protons to neutrons, but also the force holding quarks together within protons and neutrons, but I could only type so much in the title.
When I was taught about temperature in high school, I was told that substances that are hot have molecules that move fast, while substances that are cold have molecules that move slowly. I was also told that everything moves towards greater disorder or entropy. This is apparently because there are many more disordered states than ordered states. I don't know how dumbed down this explanation is, but it did make a powerful impression on me. So powerful, in fact, that I wonder if it's possible to take thermodynamics and somehow apply it to fields that give rise to three out of four fundamental forces (I know better than to get into gravity).

Now, I have trouble imagining that someone could say a magnetic field is cold or hot or that it moves toward entropy, but is there a way to modify thermodynamics so it can apply to fields?
 
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Ignorantsmith12 said:
I wonder if it's possible to take thermodynamics and somehow apply it to fields that give rise to three out of four fundamental forces.
Yes, there is a facet of quantum physics that applies to "hot" force fields: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_quantum_field_theory. One example is discussed here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QCD_matter, which says:
"...when the temperature reaches the QCD energy scale (T of order ##10^{12}## kelvins) or the density rises to the point where the average inter-quark separation is less than 1 fm (quark chemical potential μ around 400 MeV), the hadrons are melted into their constituent quarks, and the strong interaction becomes the dominant feature of the physics. Such phases are called quark matter or QCD matter."
 
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Ignorantsmith12 said:
I don't know how dumbed down this explanation is
Very much so.
 
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