Exploring Entropy: Macro vs. Micro Reductionism and Separationism

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In summary: Yes, entropy is a function of volume. Macroscopic volume...The volume of a domain in \mathbb{R}^{3} ...
  • #1
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Can Entropy be reduced from a Macro Area (large quantity?), to a Micro Quantity, individual 'area' components?

If so would this process be reductionism or Separationism?
 
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  • #2
It would be nonsense.Entropy is a statistical quantity defined on statistical ensembles...

Daniel.
 
  • #3
It would be nonsense.Entropy is a statistical quantity defined on statistical ensembles...

This is not true, entropy is defined for any system for which we can recognize "macrostates" and "microstates".

You might have meant that the second law of thermodynamics would be nonsense if applied to a system other than a statistical ensemble.

Can Entropy be reduced from a Macro Area (large quantity?), to a Micro Quantity, individual 'area' components?

What exactly are you asking? Can entropy be defined for small systems (yes)? Could it be meaningful to consider the entropy of various subsytems (yes)? Please try and rephrase the question.
 
  • #4
dextercioby said:
It would be nonsense.Entropy is a statistical quantity defined on statistical ensembles...

Daniel.

Of course the natural path for Entropy is to spread out from a compact domain, to one that is less compact, I believe the standard stance is:Energy, in whatever form, tends to Equilibriate from an out_of_equlibrium state, to one that is closer to Equilibrium.

A volume/area of matter that is close to an Equilibrium state, can only get closer to Equilibrium, by interaction with its surrounding Area/Volume.

So a small Area that has energy present, if it is reduced further, ie in Stringtheory for instance, the Seperation of Componant energy, actually increase's the Energy value.

Lets start to reduce an energy from a particle of certain size, to one of a lesser size, from a Proton to an individual Quark, or from an individual Quark to a single string?

In Entropy terms, this is creating a Non-Equilibriated starting point?..the potential of which can interact with the surrounding Area/..do you agree?

So the "nonsense" now becomes apparent..please enlighten me!

Define the stastistical ''quantity" for change of 'one_MACRO_AREA->to_one micro_area'.
 
  • #5
[tex] S_{stat,class.stat.virtual ensemble}=:-k\langle \ln \rho\rangle _{\rho} [/tex] (1)

This is the definition.

The definition of [itex]\rho[/itex]...

[tex] \rho (x,0) =:\lim_{\Omega_{\mathcal{D}} \rightarrow 0 ,x\in \mathcal{D}} \frac{1}{\Omega_{\mathcal{D}}} \left(\lim_{\mathcal{N}\rightarrow +\infty}\frac{\mathcal{N}\left(\mathcal{D}_{t=0}\right)}{\mathcal{N}}\right) [/tex]


The dependence of the probability density of a classical miscrostate "x" of the macrostate is postulated.

Correctly

[tex] \rho=\rho\left(microstate,time;macrostate\right) [/tex]


Einstein did it.We may call (1) Gibbs' entropy,but Einstein provided the concept that definition relies on:virtual statistical ensemble...

Daniel.
 
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  • #6
dextercioby said:
[tex] S_{stat,class.stat.virtual ensemble}=:-k\langle \ln \rho\rangle _{\rho} [/tex] (1)

This is the definition.

The definition of [itex]\rho[/itex]...

[tex] \rho (x,0) =:\lim_{\Omega_{\mathcal{D}} \rightarrow 0 ,x\in \mathcal{D}} \frac{1}{\Omega_{\mathcal{D}}} \left(\lim_{\mathcal{N}\rightarrow +\infty}\frac{\mathcal{N}\left(\mathcal{D}_{t=0}\right)}{\mathcal{N}}\right) [/tex]


The dependence of the probability density of a classical miscrostate "x" of the macrostate is postulated.

Correctly

[tex] \rho=\rho\left(microstate,time;macrostate\right) [/tex]


Einstein did it.We may call (1) Gibbs' entropy,but Einstein provided the concept that definition relies on:virtual statistical ensemble...

Daniel.

Thanks, so the Phase transition of an Ensemble is governed by the above Equation?..is Gibbs Entropy equivilent for all Volumes?
 
  • #7
Volume is an mechanical extensive parameter involved in the description of a macrostate of a closed (constant volume) thermodynamical system.So,yes,entropy is a function of volume.

Macroscopical volume...The volume of a domain in [itex] \mathbb{R}^{3} [/itex] ...

Daniel.
 

FAQ: Exploring Entropy: Macro vs. Micro Reductionism and Separationism

1. What is entropy and why is it important in science?

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. It is important in science because it helps us understand and predict the behavior of physical systems, from the molecular level to the universe as a whole. It also plays a key role in the laws of thermodynamics, which govern energy transfer and transformations.

2. What is the difference between macro and micro reductionism?

Macro reductionism refers to the approach of explaining complex systems by breaking them down into smaller, simpler components. This is often used in physics and chemistry to understand the behavior of matter. Micro reductionism, on the other hand, takes the opposite approach and focuses on the individual components and how they interact to create larger systems. This is commonly used in biology and neuroscience.

3. What is separationism and how does it relate to entropy?

Separationism is the belief that complex systems can be understood by separating them into distinct parts and studying each part individually. This relates to entropy because as a system becomes more separated, there is an increase in disorder and entropy. This can be seen in the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy of a closed system will always increase over time.

4. How does entropy play a role in information theory?

In information theory, entropy is a measure of the amount of uncertainty or randomness in a system. It is used to quantify the amount of information contained in a message or signal. The higher the entropy, the more unpredictable the system is, and the more information it contains.

5. Can entropy be reversed or decreased?

In a closed system, the total entropy will always increase over time, according to the second law of thermodynamics. However, it is possible to decrease the local entropy in a system by transferring energy or matter from one part to another. This process requires an input of energy and is not sustainable in the long term. Furthermore, the total entropy of the closed system will still increase.

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