Non-equilibrium thermodynamics and Newtonian gravitation

TL;DR

This paper explores the connection between non-equilibrium thermodynamics and Newtonian gravity, deriving gravitational equations from thermodynamic principles and entropy considerations.

Contribution

It introduces a thermodynamic framework for gravity, treating gravitational potential as a state variable and deriving Poisson's equation from entropy production.

Findings

Gravitational potential is a thermodynamic state variable.

Poisson's equation emerges as a dissipationless limit.

Entropy production is explicitly calculated in the gravitational context.

Abstract

Classical gravitation is treated from the point of view of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Gravitational potential is a thermodynamic state variable in a weakly nonlocal treatment. Entropy production is calculated and the simplest solution of the inequality with corresponding fluxes and forces is given. In case of ideal gravitation without dissipation one obtains the Poisson equation.