On the response function for the heat flux in bodies of the differential type

The paper analyzes the non-uniqueness of the response functions in thermodynamics. It deals with continuous bodies of the differential type. In effect, the authors take the point of view that two sets of response functions (for stress, heat flux, energy, etc.) are equivalent provided they lead to the same balance equations and the same surface tractions and surface influx of heat on the boundary of the body (in response to the same motions and temperature fields). Using the results of their previous papers, the authors study the non-uniqueness in the response functions from this standpoint. The results typically say that the response functions are unique only to within certain expressions. These expressions contain cross products of gradients of temperature and skew symmetric tensors.