Onsager-Casimir symmetry properties of the Burnett equations

We demonstrate the approximate nature of the Onsager-Casimir relations for the example of the linearized Burnett equations for a dilute gas. For any discussion of Onsager relations the choice of a correct set of thermodynamic forces and fluxes is of course crucial. By retracing the Chapman-Enskog procedure, we show that the usual expressions for the thermodynamic forces require modifications at the Burnett level. However, inclusion of these terms does not remedy the violation of Onsager symmetry first noticed by McLennan. A modified version of the Onsager symmetry that involves thermodynamic forces derived from an entropy Lagrangian rather than from the entropy itself does remain valid on the Burnett level. Throughout, we allow for the presence of an external potential; the Burnett equations including potential terms are derived in an appendix for a set of variables particularly suited for our discussion. We stress that in discussing Onsager relations one should use the full thermodynamic fluxes rather than their dissipative parts only, in spite of the fact that only the latter contribute to the entropy production.