Braun-Le Chatelier principle in dissipative thermodynamics

Abstract

Braun-Le Chatelier principle is a fundamental result of equilibrium thermodynamics, showing how stable equilibrium states shift when external conditions are varied. The principle follows from convexity of a thermodynamic potential. Analogically, from convexity of a dissipation potential it follows how steady non-equilibrium states shift when thermodynamic forces are varied, which is the extension of the principle to dissipative thermodynamics.