Kinetic equilibrium and relativistic thermodynamics

TL;DR

This paper explores relativistic thermodynamics through kinetic theory, demonstrating the compatibility of the generalized Jüttner distribution with kinetic equilibrium and proposing generalizations of the Gibbs relation involving velocity as a thermodynamic variable.

Contribution

It introduces a framework linking kinetic and thermodynamic equilibrium in relativistic systems, extending the Gibbs relation to include velocity as an independent variable.

Findings

Generalized Jüttner distribution is compatible with kinetic equilibrium.

Kinetic and thermodynamic equilibrium impose new conditions on the Gibbs relation.

Velocity field can be treated as an independent thermodynamic variable.

Abstract

Relativistic thermodynamics is treated from the point of view of kinetic theory. It is shown that the generalized J\"uttner distribution suggested in [1] is compatible with kinetic equilibrium. The requirement of compatibility of kinetic and thermodynamic equilibrium reveals several generalizations of the Gibbs relation where the velocity field is an independent thermodynamic variable.