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'''Entropy''' is the tendency of everything to trend toward greater disorder, in the absence of intelligent intervention.

'''Entropy''' is a quantitative measure of the "disorder" in a system. It forms the basis of the [[second law of thermodynamics]], that '''entropy''' tends to increase. In other words, the tendency of everything to trend toward greater disorder, in the absence of intelligent intervention.

The [[second law of thermodynamics]] states that entropy will never decrease over time within a [[closed system]], defining a closed system as one in which neither matter nor energy may enter or leave.<ref>As first postulated by Lazare Carnot in 1803, entropy is the thermodynamic property which trends toward equilibrium.</ref>

The [[second law of thermodynamics]] states that entropy tends not to decrease over time within an [[isolated system]], defining a isolated system as one in which neither matter nor energy may enter or leave.<ref>As first postulated by Lazare Carnot in 1803, entropy is the thermodynamic property which trends toward equilibrium.</ref>

Entropy is undeniable and yet creates perhaps insurmountable difficulties for many modern theories of physics.  For example, it renders time asymmetric, resulting in an [[arrow of time]] that is impossible to reconcile with the [[theory of relativity]].  Entropy casts doubt on whether physical laws or the speed of light are invariant and perpetual. Increasing entropy renders the [[theory of evolution]] implausible, because that theory claims that order is increasing.  [[Liberal denial]] is thus common in ignoring the significance of the increase in disorder.

Entropy is undeniable and yet creates perhaps insurmountable difficulties for many modern theories of physics.  For example, it renders time asymmetric, resulting in an [[arrow of time]] that is impossible to reconcile with the [[theory of relativity]]. Increasing entropy renders the [[theory of evolution]] implausible, because that theory claims that order is increasing.  [[Liberal denial]] is thus common in ignoring the significance of the increase in disorder.

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

* [[history of entropy|History of the development of entropy]]

* [[history of entropy|History of the development of entropy]]

==References==

==References==

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[[Category:Physics]]

[[Category:Physics]]