What aspect does Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics focus on?

Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics primarily deals with systems that are not in equilibrium, emphasizing processes that occur over time and lead to irreversible transformations. Unlike systems at equilibrium, where macroscopic properties remain constant and entropy reaches its maximum, non-equilibrium thermodynamics focuses on the dynamic behavior and changes of systems as they evolve towards equilibrium.

This field studies phenomena such as heat flow, diffusion, and chemical reactions that cannot be described adequately by traditional thermodynamics, which assumes a state of equilibrium. Understanding how systems transition from ordered to disordered states or how energy is distributed within a system as it evolves is central to this study. The time-dependency and irreversibility are fundamental characteristics that distinguish non-equilibrium processes from those that are static and reversible.