Physics of Relativistic Perfect Fluids

A criterion is presented and discussed to detect when a divergence-free perfect fluid energy tensor in the space-time describes an evolution in local thermal equilibrium. This criterion is applied to the class II Szafron-Szekeres perfect fluid space-times solutions, giving a very simple characterization of those that describe such thermal evolutions. For all of them, the significant thermodynamic variables are explicitly obtained. Also, the specific condition is given under which the divergence-free perfect fluid energy tensors may be interpreted as an ideal gas.