Kirchhoff's Loop Law and the maximum entropy production principle

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Kirchhoff's loop law for linear planar electric networks can be derived from the maximum entropy production principle, linking thermodynamic concepts with electrical circuit laws in stationary states.

Contribution

It introduces a novel derivation of Kirchhoff's loop law based on the maximum entropy production principle, offering a thermodynamic perspective.

Findings

Loop law derived from entropy production principle

Currents distribute to maximize entropy production

Connects thermodynamics with electrical circuit laws

Abstract

In contrast to the standard derivation of Kirchhoff's loop law, which invokes electric potential, we show, for the linear planar electric network in a stationary state at the fixed temperature,that loop law can be derived from the maximum entropy production principle. This means that the currents in network branches are distributed in such a way as to achieve the state of maximum entropy production.