|
Classification of Equilibrium States
-
Nonequilibrium - state of the system changes with time.
The change can be spontaneous or the result of interactions of the system
with other systems.
-
Steady - state of the system does not change with time as
a result of interactions of the system with other systems.
-
Equilibrium - state of the system does not change with time
while the system is isolated.
-
Unstable Equilibrium - The state of the system can be altered
to an entirely different state without much of an effect on any other systems
in the surroundings.
-
Stable Equilibrium - The state of the system can be altered
only by interactions that have net effects in the environment.
-
Metastable Equilibrium - The state of the system is stable
with respect to relatively small disturbances, but it will move to a new
state of equilibrium when the disturbance reaches a certain magnitude.
|