Thermodynamics
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| − | '''Thermodynamics''' is the study of the transfer of heat energy. There are three main laws of | + | {{stub}} |
| + | {{wikipedia}} | ||
| + | '''Thermodynamics''' is the study of the transfer of heat energy. There are three main laws of thermodynamics, the second being frequently brought into arguments against [[evolution]]. | ||
==Laws== | ==Laws== | ||
===First=== | ===First=== | ||
| + | In any process, the total energy of the universe remains constant. | ||
===Second=== | ===Second=== | ||
| + | There is no process that, operating in a cycle, produces no other effect than the subtraction of a positive amount of heat from a reservoir and the production of an equal amount of work. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Alternatively: | ||
| + | |||
| + | The entropy of an isolated macroscopic system not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium. | ||
===Third=== | ===Third=== | ||
| + | As temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a system approaches a constant. | ||
| + | ==Alternative descriptions== | ||
| + | The laws of thermodynamics have also been described in a tongue-in-cheek way as: | ||
| + | #You can't win. | ||
| + | #You can't break even. | ||
| + | #And you can't get out of the game. | ||
| − | {{ | + | ==Apologetics/Counter-apologetics== |
| + | {{main article|Argument from the second law of thermodynamics}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | Creationists sometimes claim that evolution contradicts the second law of thermodynamics. This is usually due to a misunderstanding of what the second law actually says, or else due to the false assumption that the Earth is an isolated (closed) system. | ||
| + | |||
| + | There is also a rough thermodynamic argument against the existence of an orderly God that could create the universe. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==External links== | ||
| + | * [http://www.secondlaw.com/ secondlaw.com] explains the second law of thermodynamics. | ||
| + | * [http://www.2ndlaw.com/ 2ndlaw.com] fields questions generated by the previous site, including issues with evolution. | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Science]] | ||
Latest revision as of 18:56, 15 June 2010
Thermodynamics is the study of the transfer of heat energy. There are three main laws of thermodynamics, the second being frequently brought into arguments against evolution.
Contents |
Laws
First
In any process, the total energy of the universe remains constant.
Second
There is no process that, operating in a cycle, produces no other effect than the subtraction of a positive amount of heat from a reservoir and the production of an equal amount of work.
Alternatively:
The entropy of an isolated macroscopic system not in equilibrium will tend to increase over time, approaching a maximum value at equilibrium.
Third
As temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a system approaches a constant.
Alternative descriptions
The laws of thermodynamics have also been described in a tongue-in-cheek way as:
- You can't win.
- You can't break even.
- And you can't get out of the game.
Apologetics/Counter-apologetics
- Main Article: Argument from the second law of thermodynamics
Creationists sometimes claim that evolution contradicts the second law of thermodynamics. This is usually due to a misunderstanding of what the second law actually says, or else due to the false assumption that the Earth is an isolated (closed) system.
There is also a rough thermodynamic argument against the existence of an orderly God that could create the universe.
External links
- secondlaw.com explains the second law of thermodynamics.
- 2ndlaw.com fields questions generated by the previous site, including issues with evolution.
