The Stability of Open Systems

A Thermodynamics Based Approach

Abstract

The laws of thermodynamics are used to formulate a stability criterion based on the total internal entropy generation rate of an open system. These laws are also used to propose a method for monitoring systems stability that can be used when conventional approaches are not feasible. A simplified equation for evaluating the stability of open control volumes for large class of problems covering typical ambient conditions is derived using the stability criterion. An analysis is done to show that the stability of a wide variety of control volumes can be investigated using this equation when the internal details of the control volume are not well known. Further analysis also shows that random fluctuations that are always present in completely open environments will likely destabilize stablecontrol volumes over time. Finally, the implications of the results on living organisms, particularly prebiotic systems and early life, are discussed.