Entropy & Relativity: What's the Relationship?

  • Context: Graduate 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Galteeth
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Entropy Relativity
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between entropy and the observer's role in relativity, emphasizing that entropy increases over time and varies for different observers. It establishes that both the concept of a closed system and the perception of time are observer-dependent. The thermodynamic arrow of time serves as a clock, paralleling other timekeeping methods in relativity. For further reading, participants referenced an article available at arxiv.org.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics and entropy
  • Familiarity with the principles of relativity
  • Knowledge of closed systems in physics
  • Basic grasp of time as a physical dimension
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of the thermodynamic arrow of time
  • Explore the implications of observer-dependent phenomena in relativity
  • Study the role of entropy in closed systems
  • Read the article "Entropy and Time" available at arxiv.org
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physicists, students of thermodynamics and relativity, and anyone interested in the philosophical implications of time and observation in physical systems.

Galteeth
Messages
69
Reaction score
1
Since the entropy increase in a system is a function of time, it would seem that for different observers, rates of entropy would move differently. I am struggling a little hear with putting this into a coherent question, as I am a layman, but the jist is: both the notion of a closed system and the observation of time are dependent on an observer. What is the relationship between the thermodynamic arrow of time and the role of the observer in relativity? I imagine this is a complicated, so links to articles or such would be sufficient.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Galteeth said:
Since the entropy increase in a system is a function of time, it would seem that for different observers, rates of entropy would move differently. I am struggling a little hear with putting this into a coherent question, as I am a layman, but the jist is: both the notion of a closed system and the observation of time are dependent on an observer. What is the relationship between the thermodynamic arrow of time and the role of the observer in relativity? I imagine this is a complicated, so links to articles or such would be sufficient.

Entropy is a function of time and can be used as a clock. It behaves like any other clock in relativity.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad How Does Relativity of Simultaneity Clash w/Thermodynamics?
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Relational event horizons?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
572
Graduate Can time dilation be explained by changes in the rate of entropy?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Graduate Could the Laws of Physics Be Proportional to Entropy?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
604
Graduate Is Fatio–Le Sage's theory of gravitation an entropic gravity?
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
Undergrad How Does Special Relativity Affect Perceptions of Simultaneity?
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
2K
Undergrad Relating Entropy and the 2nd law
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad How can the maximum entropy and minimum energy principles be physical?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
Undergrad What is the four-momentum of a photon?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Graduate Time, Spacetime & The Arrow of Entropy
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K