Entropy & Relativity: What's the Relationship?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between entropy, the thermodynamic arrow of time, and the role of the observer in the context of relativity. Participants explore how different observers might perceive rates of entropy change and the implications of these perceptions for understanding time in both thermodynamic and relativistic frameworks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that since entropy increase is a function of time, different observers may experience different rates of entropy change.
  • Another participant notes that both the concept of a closed system and the observation of time depend on the observer, raising questions about the relationship between the thermodynamic arrow of time and relativity.
  • A later reply mentions that entropy can function as a clock, behaving similarly to other clocks in the context of relativity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty and explore multiple viewpoints regarding the relationship between entropy and time in relativity, indicating that the discussion remains unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the nature of closed systems and the definitions of entropy and time are not fully articulated, which may affect the clarity of the discussion.

Galteeth
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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.
 
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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.
 

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