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pzona
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This was a question on a homework assignment I had a few weeks ago:
""Intelligent Design" believers sometimes argue against evolution by saying that it is impossible for a system (i.e. a human being) to become so organized since everything tends towards maximum entropy. Do you agree with this statement? If not, give a simple chemical counterexample."
I already turned in the assignment, so that's why I didn't put this in the homework help section. Here's what I answered:
"I disagree. In an endothermic reaction, work/heat is added to the system by the surroundings once the reaction is complete, as the surroundings try to reach thermal equilibrium with the system. Entropy in the system decreases as the entropy in the surroundings increases. This does not violate the Second Law because S(surroundings) > S(system), which means that universal entropy does increase."
Obviously this is extremely simplified. My answer was marked correct, but I was wondering if anyone else could think of some simple examples like this, just out of curiosity. Also, any critique on my phrasing/reasoning is welcome. I look forward to hearing some other responses.
""Intelligent Design" believers sometimes argue against evolution by saying that it is impossible for a system (i.e. a human being) to become so organized since everything tends towards maximum entropy. Do you agree with this statement? If not, give a simple chemical counterexample."
I already turned in the assignment, so that's why I didn't put this in the homework help section. Here's what I answered:
"I disagree. In an endothermic reaction, work/heat is added to the system by the surroundings once the reaction is complete, as the surroundings try to reach thermal equilibrium with the system. Entropy in the system decreases as the entropy in the surroundings increases. This does not violate the Second Law because S(surroundings) > S(system), which means that universal entropy does increase."
Obviously this is extremely simplified. My answer was marked correct, but I was wondering if anyone else could think of some simple examples like this, just out of curiosity. Also, any critique on my phrasing/reasoning is welcome. I look forward to hearing some other responses.