Second sound 2026-10-18
Second sound is an entropy and temperature wave. At negligible thermal expansion, it has almost zero net mass flux. Lev Davidovich Landau predicted two sound modes in 1941.[ref]
An elementary uniform-flow example makes the distinction operational. Write the mass flux per unit area and the ideal entropy flux as
Here is specific entropy, in , and are response mass densities. The mass density used here gives the three-dimensional phase stiffness coefficient when is substituted into the kinetic energy density . For a stipulated , and along a channel, zero net mass flux requires . Yet is positive. Opposing velocities can therefore transport entropy while transporting no net mass.
This example explains why excellent apparent heat transport need not be ordinary diffusion of heat through a stationary liquid. In the ideal zero-net-mass-flux limit, the heat flux associated with this entropy transport is . Viscous losses, quantum vortices and external heat exchange require additional terms. The model also supports second sound.