A microscopic view on the Fourier law

TL;DR

This paper explores whether the classical Fourier law of heat conduction can be derived from microscopic mechanical models, bridging the gap between macroscopic phenomenology and fundamental physics.

Contribution

It provides a microscopic analysis aiming to derive the Fourier law from fundamental mechanical principles, enhancing understanding of heat conduction at the microscopic level.

Findings

Fourier law can be derived from microscopic models under certain conditions

Microscopic dynamics influence macroscopic heat diffusion behavior

The study clarifies the connection between mechanics and thermodynamics

Abstract

The Fourier law of heat conduction describes heat diffusion in macroscopic systems. This physical law has been experimentally tested for a large class of physical systems. A natural question is to know whether it can be derived from the microscopic models using the fundamental laws of mechanics.