Química Nova (Jan 2011)

A Equação-Mestra: atingindo o equilíbrio

  • Thiago Carita Correra,
  • André de Carvalho Frank

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-40422011000200032
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 34, no. 2
pp. 346 – 353

Abstract

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In the last years, a great interest in nonequilibrium systems has been witnessed. Although the Master Equations are one of the most common methods used to describe these systems, the literature about these equations is not straightforward due to the mathematical framework used in their derivations. The goals of this work are to present the physical concepts behind the Master Equations development and to discuss their basic proprieties via a matrix approach. It is also shown how the Master Equations can be used to model typical nonequilibrium processes like multi-wells chemical reactions and radiation absorption processes.

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