A note on limitations of standard thermodynamics

Recently, as a common foundation of various branches in science, thermodynamics is getting fresh notice. One of the reasons are long-range forces that may have far-reaching consequences for the applicability of standard thermodynamics. In this paper we trace these consequences in connection with gravity, particle physics, condensed matter physics, and plasma physics. We point on scenarios (like hot plasmas of elementary particles in the early universe) where usually the applicability of standard thermodynamics is not even questioned. Therefore we wish to attract the reader's attention to such cases and mention some first steps towards non-standard thermodynamics. It is, however, too early to propose final solutions at the present stage. We wish to provoke thoughts about the ''old'' thermodynamics from a modern perspective. (orig.)