ABSTRACT
In the preceding chapter we discussed mechanical foundations of vibrations, stability, and self-organization. Here we will introduce the principles of reversible and irreversible thermodynamics that are of relevance to friction-induced self-organization. In particular, we will discuss the entropic stability criterion. In addition to the degrees of freedom that participate in the mechanical motion and are studied by mechanics, physical objects also have internal degrees of freedom. These degrees of freedom contain thermal energy that, under certain circumstances, can be exchanged with the mechanical degrees of freedom. This is why thermodynamic analysis should eventually be integrated with mechanics.
