Entropy and possibilty of reversal thereof

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of entropy, particularly in relation to the universe's structure and the possibility of reversing entropy. Participants explore theoretical implications of entropy in black holes, the Big Bang, and the nature of the universe as an open or closed system.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the universe is an open heat sink or a closed system, suggesting that entropy may stop increasing at some point, leading to a "heat death" of the universe.
  • Another participant asserts that entropy is a measure of energy "clumping" and proposes that entropy will always win in the end, referencing the Big Bang as a potential reversal of entropy.
  • A challenge is posed regarding the assumption that entropy was not zero before the Big Bang, asking for evidence to support this claim.
  • One participant mentions a prior debate on whether black holes lower entropy, referencing Stephen Hawking's work that suggests black holes do not lower entropy and may return it upon their demise.
  • Another participant notes that entropy can decrease temporarily in small systems, indicating a complexity in the behavior of entropy in different contexts.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of entropy in the universe, the implications of black holes, and the conditions surrounding the Big Bang. There is no consensus on these topics, and multiple competing perspectives remain.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific definitions of entropy and the conditions under which it is measured. The discussion includes unresolved assumptions about the state of entropy before the Big Bang and the behavior of entropy in black holes.

Alan McDougal
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Hello Guys

As Electricity power supply Mechanical Engineer Entropy is a reality we battle with every moment.

Is the universe an open heat sink or is it closed and entropy will stop at some point in time?

Due to entropy we die, it would be nice if it could be reversed. In a black hole is there a reversal of entropy of some sort?

Nevertheless, as I see it entropy will always win in the end.

The Big Bang singularity must have been a reversal of entropy from total back to zero.

Who re-wound the entropy clock, so to speak, back?

Regards

Alan
 
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Alan McDougal said:
Hello Guys

As Electricity power supply Mechanical Engineer Entropy is a reality we battle with every moment.

Is the universe an open heat sink or is it closed and entropy will stop at some point in time?
Entropy is a measure of "structure"- which we can think of as "clumping" of energy. When energy has spread out as much as possible, entropy will no longer increase. That is referred to as the "heat death" of the universe.

Due to entropy we die, it would be nice if it could be reversed. In a black hole is there a reversal of entropy of some sort?
There is no evidence of that.

Nevertheless, as I see it entropy will always win in the end.

The Big Bang singularity must have been a reversal of entropy from total back to zero.

Who re-wound the entropy clock, so to speak, back?
What evidence do you have that entropy was NOT 0 before the big bang?

Regards

Alan
 
Not too long ago there was a great deal of debate as to whether Black Hole's actually lowered entropy but I believe a year or two ago Stephen Hawking showed that black holes actually don't lower entropy because they do not last forever and when they die they return the entropy (possibly plus more).

But I'm not an astrophysicist
 
Entropy does decrease for short periods of time in some small systems.
 

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