A Nonequilibrium Evolution Criterion for Electromagnetic Bodies

In this paper the micropolar medium exposed to the action of mechanical, thermal and electromagnetic fields is considered. The generalization of the global evolution criterion of nonequilibrium thermodynamics of micropolar media in the case of nonvanishing electromagnetic fields is derived. Interaction with the environment is modeled by the black-body radiation. Application of the criterion to liquid crystals in equilibrium state is given and the complete set of fundamental equations is derived.