Energy Minimization: Nature's Law?

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In summary, energy minimization is a natural process driven by the laws of thermodynamics that allows systems to reach a state of minimum energy for stability and balance. It is essential for efficient use of resources and affects the functioning of living organisms. Examples of energy minimization in nature include the flow of water, heat transfer, and snowflake formation. It is closely related to entropy, as energy minimization leads to a decrease in disorder in a system.
  • #1
pivoxa15
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Here is a quote from a chemistry textbook

"In nature, objects tend to change in such a way that their total energy is minimised. The lower their energy, the more stable they are, since they have less capacity to do things."

I assume they are talking about total energy=kinetic + potential energy

My question is, is this a law of nature? If so what is it called?

Or is it derived from a law? If so how? What law is it derived from?

It goes on saying "A liquid dropped to a surface will spread over the surface if by doing so it creates a surface of lower energy."

How does the liquid know it will create a surface of lower energy? Or does it just do its thing (i.e when it reaches a new surface it samples the atoms to see if it can bind with them. If they can than they do and we say before they bind they have a higher total energy than afterwards when they are collapsed on the surface hence they have lowered their energy) and in the end we find what they have done is lower their total energy.
 
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  • #2
pivoxa15 said:
Here is a quote from a chemistry textbook

"In nature, objects tend to change in such a way that their total energy is minimised. The lower their energy, the more stable they are, since they have less capacity to do things."
Since this was in a chemistry text, it is talking about the Second Law of Thermodynamics, rewritten in terms of a free energy.

[see section titled "Special cases: Gibbs' and Helmholtz free energy"]
 
  • #3
Gokul43201 said:
Since this was in a chemistry text, it is talking about the Second Law of Thermodynamics, rewritten in terms of a free energy.

[see section titled "Special cases: Gibbs' and Helmholtz free energy"]

Had I not mentioned chemistry in my OP, what would you have said?
 
  • #4
Probably the same thing - it looks like how a chemistry text would word it.
 

What is energy minimization?

Energy minimization is a natural phenomenon where systems tend to move towards a state of minimum energy. This is governed by the laws of thermodynamics and is essential for maintaining stability and balance in various physical and chemical processes.

Why does nature follow the law of energy minimization?

Nature follows the law of energy minimization because it is a fundamental principle that governs the behavior of matter and energy. It allows for efficient use of resources and ensures that systems remain in a stable and balanced state.

How does energy minimization affect living organisms?

Energy minimization plays a crucial role in the functioning of living organisms. It allows for efficient use of energy and resources, maintaining homeostasis, and enabling various biological processes to occur.

What are some examples of energy minimization in nature?

Examples of energy minimization in nature include water always flowing from high to low elevations, heat transfer from hot to cold objects, and the formation of snowflakes in a hexagonal shape due to the minimization of surface energy.

How is energy minimization related to entropy?

Energy minimization and entropy are closely related concepts. Entropy is a measure of the disorder in a system, and energy minimization leads to a decrease in entropy. This is because systems tend to move towards a state of lower energy, which is a more ordered and less chaotic state.

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