Question

A classical system is described by its Hamiltonian $H$, which is a function of a set of generalized co-ordinates $q_i$ and momenta $p_i$. The canonical equations of motion are $$ \dot{p}_i=-\frac{\partial H}{\partial q_i}, \quad \dot{q}_i=\frac{\partial H}{\partial p_i} . $$ Write the equation of continuity for $\rho$, the phase space density, and use it to show that the entropy of this system is constant in time. Now consider a system whose motion is damped by frictional force. For simplicity, consider a damped harmonic oscillator in one dimension. The equations of motion are $$ \dot{p}=-k q-\frac{\gamma p}{m}, \quad \dot{q}=\frac{p}{m}, $$ where $m$ is the mass, $k$ is the spring constant, and $\gamma$ is related to the friction, $m, k$ and $\gamma$ being all positive.) What is the equation of motion for the phase space density $\rho$ ? Show that the entropy is now a decreasing function of time. Can the last result be reconciled with the second law of thermodynamics?

   A classical system is described by its Hamiltonian $H$, which is a function of a set of generalized co-ordinates $q_i$ and momenta $p_i$. The canonical equations of motion are
$$
\dot{p}_i=-\frac{\partial H}{\partial q_i}, \quad \dot{q}_i=\frac{\partial H}{\partial p_i} .
$$
Write the equation of continuity for $\rho$, the phase space density, and use it to show that the entropy of this system is constant in time.

Now consider a system whose motion is damped by frictional force. For simplicity, consider a damped harmonic oscillator in one dimension. The equations of motion are
$$
\dot{p}=-k q-\frac{\gamma p}{m}, \quad \dot{q}=\frac{p}{m},
$$
where $m$ is the mass, $k$ is the spring constant, and $\gamma$ is related to the friction, $m, k$ and $\gamma$ being all positive.)

What is the equation of motion for the phase space density $\rho$ ? Show that the entropy is now a decreasing function of time.

Can the last result be reconciled with the second law of thermodynamics?
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Problems and Solutions on Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Problems and Solutions on Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
U.S.T. of China… 1st Edition
Chapter 2, Problem 148 ↓

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The equation of continuity in phase space is given by: \[ \frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} + \sum_i \left( \dot{q}_i \frac{\partial \rho}{\partial q_i} + \dot{p}_i \frac{\partial \rho}{\partial p_i} \right) = 0. \]  Show more…

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A classical system is described by its Hamiltonian $H$, which is a function of a set of generalized co-ordinates $q_i$ and momenta $p_i$. The canonical equations of motion are $$ \dot{p}_i=-\frac{\partial H}{\partial q_i}, \quad \dot{q}_i=\frac{\partial H}{\partial p_i} . $$ Write the equation of continuity for $\rho$, the phase space density, and use it to show that the entropy of this system is constant in time. Now consider a system whose motion is damped by frictional force. For simplicity, consider a damped harmonic oscillator in one dimension. The equations of motion are $$ \dot{p}=-k q-\frac{\gamma p}{m}, \quad \dot{q}=\frac{p}{m}, $$ where $m$ is the mass, $k$ is the spring constant, and $\gamma$ is related to the friction, $m, k$ and $\gamma$ being all positive.) What is the equation of motion for the phase space density $\rho$ ? Show that the entropy is now a decreasing function of time. Can the last result be reconciled with the second law of thermodynamics?
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