A nonequilibrium evolution criterion for electromagnetic bodies (Q5952829)

In this paper a nonequilibrium evolution criterion for a micropolar medium in a heat bath is derived. For the first time not only mechanical interactions, but also the interaction with the environment via electromagnetic fields is taken into account. In the derivation the global dissipation inequality, the balance of energy (including electromagnetic fields), the balance of momentum (with the assumption of potential forces), and the balance of angular momentum are applied. The electromagnetic interaction with the environment is modelled by black-body radiation. The resulting evolution criterion states that a global system quantity of the dimension of a free energy is decreasing in time in any physically possible process. As a consequence this global free energy is minimal in equilibrium states, compared to any non-equilibrium state of a system in contact with the same environment. This derivation of the evolution criterion and of the equilibrium conditions is applied to liquid crystals subjected to electromagnetic interactions. The balance equations and constitutive equations in this case are those of the Eringen approach to micropolar media.