q-Thermodynamics: First law for quasi-stationary states

TL;DR

This paper explores the first law of thermodynamics in systems with quasi-stationary states, highlighting how inhomogeneity affects the additivity of thermodynamic quantities.

Contribution

It introduces a framework for understanding thermodynamics in systems with inhomogeneous phase spaces and quasi-stationary states, challenging traditional additivity assumptions.

Findings

Inhomogeneity impacts thermodynamic additivity.

Quasi-stationary states require modified thermodynamic laws.

Standard thermodynamics does not fully apply to these systems.

Abstract

We discuss peculiar aspects of the first law of thermodynamics for systems characterized by the presence of meta-equilibrium quasi-stationary states for which the pertinent phase/configuration spaces is generally inhomogeneous. As a consequence, the naive additivity requirement for thermodynamic quantities ceases to be satisfied.