Changes

Note that the Boltzmann constant has taken a value of 1 to simplify the maths.

Note that the Boltzmann constant has taken a value of 1 to simplify the maths.

So the state that we would expect to find the system in, the last one, has the highest [[entropy]]. However, the system could be in this state (10 in left, 10 in the right) and, just by chance, all the molecules could make their way to the left hand side of the box. This corresponds to a '''decrease''' of entropy. This example could be expanded up to a room, so why do we never see all the air in a room suddenly move to one end? The reason is that it is so unlikely, perhaps less than <math>10^{-10^{26}}</math>, than it practically never occurs<ref>{{cite book

So the state that we would expect to find the system in, the last one, has the highest entropy. However, the system could be in this state (10 in left, 10 in the right) and, just by chance, all the molecules could make their way to the left hand side of the box. This corresponds to a '''decrease''' of entropy. This example could be expanded up to a room, so why do we never see all the air in a room suddenly move to one end? The reason is that it is so unlikely, perhaps less than <math>10^{-10^{26}}</math>, than it practically never occurs<ref>{{cite book

|author=Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman

|author=Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman

|title=University Physics with Modern Physics

|title=University Physics with Modern Physics

|pages=

|pages=

|quote=

|quote=

|language=English}}</ref>. Hence it may be '''assumed''' that for most systems [[entropy]] '''never''' decreases. This is  known as the [[fluctuation theorem]].

|language=English}}</ref>. Hence it may be '''assumed''' that for most systems entropy '''never''' decreases. This is  known as the [[fluctuation theorem]].

==Reversibility and Irreversibility==

==Reversibility and Irreversibility==

[[Reversible process|Reversibility]] is a theoretical concept related to the Second Law of Thermodynamics. A process is reversible if the net heat and work exchange between the system and the surroundings is zero for the process running forwards and in reverse. This means the process does not generate [[entropy]]. In reality, no process is completely reversible. Irreversibility is a quantity sometimes called "lost work" and is equal to the difference between a process' actual work and reversible work. Irreversibility is also equal to a process' entropy generation multiplied by a reference temperature.

[[Reversible process|Reversibility]] is a theoretical concept related to the Second Law of Thermodynamics. A process is reversible if the net heat and work exchange between the system and the surroundings is zero for the process running forwards and in reverse. This means the process does not generate entropy. In reality, no process is completely reversible. Irreversibility is a quantity sometimes called "lost work" and is equal to the difference between a process' actual work and reversible work. Irreversibility is also equal to a process' entropy generation multiplied by a reference temperature.

==Trend toward uniformity in the universe==

==Trend toward uniformity in the universe==

In this final state the universe is one uniform space where nothing happens and no work (moving something) can be done since there are no above average concentrations of energy left.

In this final state the universe is one uniform space where nothing happens and no work (moving something) can be done since there are no above average concentrations of energy left.

This state is called maximum [[entropy]] and is said to be in perfect disorder (although intuitively its uniformity would seem to be a state of perfect order) because it has become impossible to determine what happened in the past.  ''i.e.'' There are an infinite number of ways (histories of the universe) maximum [[entropy]] could have been reached.

This state is called maximum entropy and is said to be in perfect disorder (although intuitively its uniformity would seem to be a state of perfect order) because it has become impossible to determine what happened in the past.  ''i.e.'' There are an infinite number of ways (histories of the universe) maximum entropy could have been reached.

==The types of systems governed by the Law==

==The types of systems governed by the Law==

* Open system - Exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings

* Open system - Exchanges both matter and energy with its surroundings

The boundary of any system can always be expanded to produce an [[isolated system].

The boundary of any system can always be expanded to produce an [[isolated system]].

==Liberal abuse of the second law of thermodynamics==

==Liberal abuse of the second law of thermodynamics==

*[http://creation.com/some-thermodynamics-criticisms-and-answers Some thermodynamics criticisms — and answers]

*[http://creation.com/some-thermodynamics-criticisms-and-answers Some thermodynamics criticisms — and answers]

The main argument against[[evolution]] using the second law of thermodynamics is that [[evolution]] requires a decrease in [[entropy]] (disorder). However, the second law of thermodynamics states that [[entropy]] increases, so the two are contradictory. Evolutionists and other scientists claim that these resources misrepresent the Second Law of Thermodynamics, negating the fact the [[earth]] is not an [[isolated system]] (energy is added from the [[sun]] for example). They also claim that they disregard the statistical nature of the law, in that [[entropy]] can decrease, but is so unlikely that no one ever sees this and it can be assumed to never happen.

The main argument against[[evolution]] using the second law of thermodynamics is that [[evolution]] requires a decrease in entropy (disorder). However, the second law of thermodynamics states that entropy increases, so the two are contradictory. Evolutionists and other scientists claim that these resources misrepresent the Second Law of Thermodynamics, negating the fact the [[earth]] is not an isolated system (energy is added from the [[sun]] for example). They also claim that they disregard the statistical nature of the law, in that entropy can decrease, but is so unlikely that no one ever sees this and it can be assumed to never happen.

== The 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics and the universe having a beginning ==

== The 1st and 2nd law of thermodynamics and the universe having a beginning ==

The [[Christian apologetics]] website ''Why believe in God?'' declares about the Second Law of Thermodynamics:

The [[Christian apologetics]] website ''Why believe in God?'' declares about the Second Law of Thermodynamics:

{{cquote|The second law of thermodynamics, or the law of increased [[entropy]], says that over time, everything breaks down and tends towards disorder - entropy!  Entropy is the amount of UNusable energy in any systems; that system could be the earth's environment or the universe itself.  The more entropy there is, the more disorganisation and chaos.   

{{cquote|The second law of thermodynamics, or the law of increased entropy, says that over time, everything breaks down and tends towards disorder - entropy!  Entropy is the amount of UNusable energy in any systems; that system could be the earth's environment or the universe itself.  The more entropy there is, the more disorganisation and chaos.   

Therefore, if no outside force is adding energy to an isolated system to help renew it, it will eventually burn out (heat death).  This can be applied to a sun as well as a cup of tea - left to themselves, both will grow cold.  You can heat up a cold tea, you cannot heat up a cold sun.  NOTE: when a hot tea in an air tight room goes cold (loses all it's energy) not only do we NOT expect the process to reverse by natural causes (ie. the tea will get hot again), but both room temp and tea temp will be equal.  Keep that in mind as you read the next paragraph.

Therefore, if no outside force is adding energy to an isolated system to help renew it, it will eventually burn out (heat death).  This can be applied to a sun as well as a cup of tea - left to themselves, both will grow cold.  You can heat up a cold tea, you cannot heat up a cold sun.  NOTE: when a hot tea in an air tight room goes cold (loses all it's energy) not only do we NOT expect the process to reverse by natural causes (ie. the tea will get hot again), but both room temp and tea temp will be equal.  Keep that in mind as you read the next paragraph.

*[http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=2106 God and the Laws of Thermodynamics: A Mechanical Engineer’s Perspective] by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

*[http://www.apologeticspress.org/apcontent.aspx?category=9&article=2106 God and the Laws of Thermodynamics: A Mechanical Engineer’s Perspective] by Jeff Miller, Ph.D.

*[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.

*[http://creation.com/if-god-created-the-universe-then-who-created-god If God created the universe, then who created God?] by Jonathan Sarfati, Ph.D.

*[http://creation.com/eternal-universe Has the universe always existed?]</ref> This argument is similar to the argument for the [[big bang]], that the universe is expanding now, so in the past it must have been smaller, and since there is a limit to how small the universe can be, it points to a beginning. In this argument, it is [[entropy]] that has a lower limit.

*[http://creation.com/eternal-universe Has the universe always existed?]</ref> This argument is similar to the argument for the [[big bang]], that the universe is expanding now, so in the past it must have been smaller, and since there is a limit to how small the universe can be, it points to a beginning. In this argument, it is entropy that has a lower limit.

However, the statistical nature of the second law mean that it is not firmly true. If the [[universe]] is infinite in time, then eventually all possibilities, no matter how small, are played out. In this way, the universe could reach maximum entropy and then happen, by chance, to return to a low entropy state. This would happen an infinite number of times. Hence we could be in the process of [[entropy]] increasing and the universe need nor have a beginning.

However, the statistical nature of the second law mean that it is not firmly true. If the universe is infinite in time, then eventually all possibilities, no matter how small, are played out. In this way, the universe could reach maximum entropy and then happen, by chance, to return to a low entropy state. This would happen an infinite number of times. Hence we could be in the process of entropy increasing and the universe need nor have a beginning.

== The 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics, theism and the origins of the universe ==

== The 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics, theism and the origins of the universe ==

*[[Thermodynamics]]

*[[Thermodynamics]]

*[[Essay:Commentary on Conservapedia's article on the second law of thermodynamics]]

*[[Essay:Commentary on Conservapedia's article on the second law of thermodynamics]]

*[[Genetic entropy]]

*[[Genetic entropy]]