Gravity and Entropy: Exploring the Relationship

In summary, the conversation discusses whether the collapse of a gas cloud into a proto-star results in an increase in overall entropy. It is argued that the tight packing of atoms in a proto-star requires more information to describe its motion than the random diffusion of atoms in a gas cloud. It is also mentioned that the collapse involves the emission of heat radiation and expansion of the outer region of the proto-stellar disc. The conversation also considers the collapse of rock fragments into a meteorite and concludes that significant heat emission is required in this scenario.
  • #1
Islam Hassan
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5
If gravity leads, for example to a gas cloud gradually coalescing into a proto-star, does this proto-star not have less entropy than the gas cloud that engendered it? If yes, then in what sense is overall entropy increased, in what way can we say that entropy globally has been increased via the collapse of the gas cloud into a proto-star?IH
 
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  • #2
Islam Hassan said:
in what way can we say that entropy globally has been increased via the collapse of the gas cloud into a proto-star?

heat production
 
  • #3
So it would require more information to describe the motion of a proto-star's tightly-packed constituent atoms than than the random gaseous diffusion of atoms in a gas cloud? Seems counter-intuitive, which doesn't mean it's wrong though...IH
 
  • #4
Islam Hassan said:
So it would require more information to describe the motion of a proto-star's tightly-packed constituent atoms than than the random gaseous diffusion of atoms in a gas cloud?

It mainly requires not to consider the resulting proto-star only but also the emission of heat radiation (to ensure conservation of energy) and the expansion of the outer region of the proto-stellar disc (to ensure conservation of angular momentum) during the collapse.
 
  • #5
Ok, thanks DrS.

What if we consider instead rock fragments drifting in orbit and collapsing into one solid meteorite? No significant radiation, no disk. This meteorite would likewise have to be much hotter than its original constituents?IH
 
  • #6
Islam Hassan said:
This meteorite would likewise have to be much hotter than its original constituents?

This or significant heat emission (within a sufficiently long period of time).
 
Last edited:
  • #7
Ok, thanx...
 

Related to Gravity and Entropy: Exploring the Relationship

1. Does gravity affect entropy?

Yes, gravity can affect entropy, as it plays a role in determining the distribution of matter and energy in a system. This distribution can impact the overall entropy of the system.

2. How does gravity reduce entropy?

Gravity can reduce entropy by increasing the organization and structure of a system. For example, the force of gravity can cause particles to clump together, creating more ordered structures and thus decreasing the overall entropy.

3. Can gravity create negative entropy?

No, gravity cannot create negative entropy. Entropy is a measure of disorder in a system, and gravity can only decrease or reduce this disorder, not create a negative value.

4. Is gravity the only factor that affects entropy?

No, there are other factors that can affect entropy, such as temperature, pressure, and chemical reactions. However, gravity is a significant contributor to the overall entropy of a system, especially on a larger scale.

5. Can gravity increase entropy?

Yes, in some cases, gravity can increase entropy by causing systems to become more disordered. For example, in a black hole, the force of gravity can cause matter and energy to become highly disordered, leading to an increase in entropy.

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