English

Thermodynamics of scalar-tensor gravity

General Relativity and Quantum Cosmology 2021-06-09 v2 High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

Previously, the Einstein equation has been described as an equation of state, general relativity as the equilibrium state of gravity, and f(R)f({\cal R}) gravity as a non-equilibrium one. We apply Eckart's first order thermodynamics to the effective dissipative fluid describing scalar-tensor gravity. Surprisingly, we obtain simple expressions for the effective heat flux, "temperature of gravity", shear and bulk viscosity, and entropy density, plus a generalized Fourier law in a consistent Eckart thermodynamical picture. Well-defined notions of temperature and approach to equilibrium, missing in the current thermodynamics of spacetime scenarios, naturally emerge.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2103.05389,
  title  = {Thermodynamics of scalar-tensor gravity},
  author = {Valerio Faraoni and Andrea Giusti},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2103.05389},
  year   = {2021}
}

Comments

5 pages. Corrected Eq. (26) describing the approach to equilibrium and one typographical error. Matches Letter to appear in Physical Review D

R2 v1 2026-06-23T23:54:58.780Z