Dipole relaxation in an electric field

From Boltzmann’s equation, S=k lnΩ, an expression for the orientational entropy, S of a rigid rod (electric dipole) is derived. The free energy of the dipole in an electric field is then calculated as a function of both the dipole’s average orientation and the field strength. Application of the equilibrium criterion to the free energy yields the field dependence of the entropy of the dipole. Irreversible thermodynamics is used to derive the general form of the equation of motion of the dipole’s average orientation. Subsequent application of Newton’s second law of motion produces Debye’s classical expression for the relaxation of an electric dipole in a viscous medium.