FROM EQUILIBRIUM TO NON-EQUILIBRIUM—SOME EXTENSIONS OF THE CONCEPT OF PRESSURE IN THERMODYNAMICS COURSES

Incorporating cutting-edge research and training in scientific thinking into undergraduate education plays a crucial role in enhancing students' abilities. This paper uses pressure as an example to progressively outline the derivation of pressure in equilibrium thermodynamic systems. It then discusses the unique properties of pressure in non-equilibrium active systems, drawing on the latest research in the field of soft condensed matter. Unlike in equilibrium systems, pressure in these non-equilibrium systems is not a state function determined by a single system parameter but depends on the microscopic details of interactions and dynamics. This paper aims to deepen students' understanding of pressure from different perspectives, strengthen their fundamental knowledge in physics, and introduce them to cutting-edge research developments. It is hoped that this work will inspire and provide insights for fellow educators.