1. Definitions

1.1 Ambient state. Inert state

The ambient medium of a given system is a relatively large medium encompassing that system and which is assumed to be in a state of perfect thermodynamic equilibrium, i.e. such that it has no gradients or differences in intensive parameters (such as pressure, temperature, chemical potential) . Any other system external to this ambient medium and having one or more intensive para-meters that differ from those of this ambient medium has the potential to produce work in relation to it. Thus, the...