Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter3
From Thermodynamics to Economics and
Ecology
3.1 Introduction
This chapter is devoted to explain in detail the fundamentals used in this topic for
sustainable accounting practices. Specifically, it introduces the First and Second
Law of Thermodynamics, together with the concepts of exergy and irreversibility.
The latter lends itself to the concept of physical cost and connects the study of
Thermodynamics with that of Economics. The scientific field which has arisen from
the link between the two is known as Thermoeconomics as the reader has seen in
the previous chapter. This theory is able to quantitatively contribute to decision
making in order to achieve a detailed ecological, economic or energy feedback from
any analysed system.
A special application of Thermoeconomics, namely Physical Geonomics, is also
introduced. This branch is predominantly concerned with the evaluation of mineral
resources from a Second Law perspective and it is this approach that will be used
in this topic to assess the evolution of the mineral endowment on Earth.
3.2 Second Law: the link between Physics and Economics
3.2.1 The First Law
Equilibrium is death. Classical Thermodynamics describes processes between equi-
librium states of systems. A physical state can only reach equilibrium if it is limited
by walls or constraints. A rigid wall will prevent a pressure change. An adiabatic
one will keep temperature constant. An impermeable, will ensure that the system
does not react with its environment. For each type of wall, an intensive property
can be associated, which will remain constant as long as it doesn't break down.
Pressure, temperature and chemical potential are intensive magnitudes, i.e., pro-
perties independent of the size of the system considered. There are many more
types of walls or constraints, such as electric or magnetic where electrical insulation
is associated with electric force and magnetic insulation to the magnetic field.
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