Violating Second Law of thermodynamics

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential violation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics through a thought experiment involving heat transfer between two infinite parallel plates with differing emissivity and absorptivity. Participants explore the implications of radiation in thermal dynamics, particularly in a scenario where one plate is at a lower temperature than the other.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant claims that a sphere can radiate heat and eventually reach zero Kelvin, suggesting that by manipulating absorptivity and emissivity, heat could transfer from a colder body to a hotter body, potentially violating the Second Law of Thermodynamics.
  • Another participant counters that the transfer of energy is proportional to the temperature difference, asserting that if both plates are at the same temperature, there would be no energy transfer.
  • Some participants argue that the amount of heat emitted by a body in radiation is independent of surrounding bodies, while others challenge this view, stating that radiation does depend on temperature differences.
  • One participant presents a mathematical approach to show that the steady state temperature of Plate 1 is not equal to Plate 2, leading to a conclusion that seems to contradict established thermodynamic principles.
  • Concerns are raised about the definitions of absorptivity and emissivity, with one participant insisting that they cannot differ as postulated in the original argument.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the total energy transferred is the difference between energy received and energy emitted, highlighting the role of temperature in this process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express significant disagreement regarding the implications of the thought experiment and the definitions of key terms like absorptivity and emissivity. The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views on the nature of radiation and its compliance with the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

Contextual Notes

Participants note limitations in the original analysis, particularly regarding the assumptions made about temperature differences and the definitions of thermal properties. There is also mention of the need for a more rigorous mathematical treatment of the problem, especially concerning infinite series in the context of reflections.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying thermodynamics, heat transfer, or radiation, particularly in the context of theoretical physics and conceptual debates surrounding established laws of thermodynamics.

bhave
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Background:

suppose that we have single body say sphere and nothing else in the universe. Now it will radiate heat depending on its temperature.since its energy is going down its temperature will decrease.Eventually wel have energy in the form of photons and sphere at zero kelvin. thus In practical case, if we reduce the incoming radiation and increase the out going radiations by sutaibly choosing absorptivity and emissivity we will achieve heat transfer from body at lower temperature to body at higher temperature.



let us consider two infinite parallel plates P1 and P2 with vacuum in between them so that only radiation takes place between them
plate 2 is held at temperature t2.

Let us assume the following


Plate 1
Absorptivity a1 = 0.1
Emissivity e1 = 0.9
Temperature t1


Plate 2
abosrptivity a2 = 0.9
emissivity e2 = 0.1
Temperature t2


Then Consider a steady state

I claim that the steady state temperature of Plate 1 is not equal to t2

for steady state the Incoming heat on Plate 1 must be equal to outgoing heat.

Incoming heat = abosrptivity * radiation from plate 2
= 0.1 * 0.1* sigma* t2*t2*t2*t2 ---------equ1

where sigma is stefan Boltzmann constant = 5.67 exp(-8)


Outgoing heat = emissivity * BlackBody radiation at that temperature
= 0.9 * sigma * t1*t1*t1*t1 ------------ equ 2


Thus equating above 2 equations

0.1 * 0.1 * sigma t2*t2*t2*t2 = 0.9 *sigma *t1*t1*t1*t1

Thus we get
0.325 * t2 = t1


Thus if initially both bodies were at same temperature then more heat will leave plate 1 and thus cause cooling without any input of work.

this way we would be violating second law of Thermodynamics.

Note

It is observed that reflection effects cancel each other and are energy associated with reflection is quite low.

The materials with above mensioned properties are available.

we even considered spectral distribution of Emissivity and Absorptivity and found that overall emissivity or overall absorbtivity values of 0.1 or 0.9 can be obtained.


Final word

Can radiation effects violate second law of thermodynamics.
 
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bhave said:
(snip)Can radiation effects violate second law of thermodynamics.

Nope. Check the definitions for "absorbance" and for "emissivity."
 
Bystander said:
Nope. Check the definitions for "absorbance" and for "emissivity."


Kindly help me coz i don't get the point ur trying to highlit
 
Thus if initially both bodies were at same temperature then more heat will leave plate 1 and thus cause cooling without any input of work.

Obviously your analysis is flawed. The transfer of energy is proportional to the DIFFERENCE in temperature. If the plates are at the same temperature there is NO energy transfer.

It is observed that reflection effects cancel each other and are energy associated with reflection is quite low.

How did you observe this? You may want to look at it again.
 
Integral said:
The transfer of energy is proportional to the DIFFERENCE in temperature.



transfer of energy is proportional to difference in temperature only in conduction or convection. But in radiation The amount of heat emitted is independent of other bodies sorrounding it.
 
Integral said:
It is observed that reflection effects cancel each other and are energy associated with reflection is quite low.



How did you observe this? You may want to look at it again.

I worked it out and found that the terms that add heat to after reflection are GP of common ratio (1-a1)(1-a2) which is less than 1. So i got the expression of the form

a2 e1 T1*T1*T1*T1 = a1 e2 T2*T2*T2*T2

Thus giving slight change with final result equal to

T1 = 0.333 T2
 
bhave said:
transfer of energy is proportional to difference in temperature only in conduction or convection. But in radiation The amount of heat emitted is independent of other bodies sorrounding it.
You are incorrect. You may, if you wish, calculate the radiation and absorption separately and subtract, but it works out the same: radiation depends on temperature difference.
 
bhave said:
transfer of energy is proportional to difference in temperature only in conduction or convection. But in radiation The amount of heat emitted is independent of other bodies sorrounding it.
This is incorrect.

the total energy transferred to one of your plates is the energy received - the energy emitted.

[tex]E_t - E_r \sim {T_1}^4 - {T_2}^4[/tex]
 
Last edited:
bhave said:
I worked it out and found that the terms that add heat to after reflection are GP of common ratio (1-a1)(1-a2) which is less than 1. So i got the expression of the form

a2 e1 T1*T1*T1*T1 = a1 e2 T2*T2*T2*T2

Thus giving slight change with final result equal to

T1 = 0.333 T2

That is one reflection how about the next? and the Next? ... the Next?

This must be resolved via an infinite series.
 
  • #10
bhave said:
Kindly help me coz i don't get the point ur trying to highlit

The "point" is that YOU need to understand the definitions of "absorbance" and "emissivity." Since you haven't taken the time to follow my advice that you check them, I'll spell it out for you this time --- "absorbance" and "emissivity" are two different names for the same property, the coefficients CANNOT be different as you have postulated, your argument left the rails at that point.

Physics is a science in which the definitions have been cut, dried, stuffed, mounted, pickled, and preserved in formaldehyde "forever." It is NOT a science in which intuitive interpretation of definitions, and casual guesses at meanings of terms lead to meaningful trains of thought.

Suggestions that you "check" some aspect of your work are commonly offered in lieu of more severe criticisms of the care with which you have done the background work necessary to prepare your arguments.

You want radiation and the second law? Work your way through Prigogine. If that recommendation is totally meaningless to you, you are in waayyy over your head --- take the intro physics courses, then give it another try.
 
  • #11
Integral said:
This is incorrect.

the total energy transferred to one of your plates is the energy received - the energy emitted.

[tex]E_t - E_r \sim {T_1}^4 - {T_2}^4[/tex]


what about emissivity and absorbtivity of two substances. More over the driving force in conduction and convection depends on temperature difference.

See if you don't have any other body in universe no conduction or convection take place from the sole body in universe. Since the energy is transferred from one body to another directly, you need another body for conduction or convection to take place.

but in case of radiation even if you have only one body in universe it will radiate heat.The emitted radiation depends on temperature.Note that the energy is not lost. the energy still exists in the universe in the form of photons.


Thus we can calculate the emitted radiation independent of other body but this can not be done in case of conduction or convection.
 
  • #12
bhave said:
but in case of radiation even if you have only one body in universe it will radiate heat.
In your thought experiment, there is more than one body.

And as Bystander noted, you are also misusing absorptivity and emissivity. Similar, but separate problem.
 
Last edited:

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