Entropy & Time Reversal Symmetry: Breaking Symmetry?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between entropy and time reversal symmetry, asserting that the prevailing belief that increasing entropy dictates the direction of time is not universally accepted. Historical scientific consensus has often been proven incorrect, indicating that our understanding of entropy and time remains incomplete. The conversation highlights the ambiguity surrounding time and the lack of a rigorous mathematical framework connecting entropy and time. Charles Seife's book, "Decoding the Universe," is referenced for its exploration of entropy and information, suggesting that information may provide a new perspective on the directionality of time.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of entropy in thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with time reversal symmetry in physics
  • Basic knowledge of Claude Shannon's information theory
  • Awareness of historical scientific paradigms and their evolution
NEXT STEPS
  • Read "Decoding the Universe" by Charles Seife for insights on entropy and information
  • Explore advanced concepts in thermodynamics related to entropy
  • Investigate mathematical formulations of time reversal symmetry
  • Study the implications of information theory on physical laws
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, philosophers of science, and students interested in the fundamental concepts of time and entropy, as well as those exploring the implications of information theory in physics.

jimmy.neutron
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Does the ever increasing nature of entropy violate time reversal symmetry?
 
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Most, I think, believe it generally does. Yet "most" scientists have been repeatedly wrong over time..in other words, more often than not, the consensus has been proved wrong...from Ptolomy,Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Einstein,Hubble, all upset widely held beliefs.

It is generally believed increasing entropy sets the direction of time. But in some respects entropy is not fully understood and time is certainly one of the most ambiguous, least understood, entities known. Hence many still disagree on the possibility of time travel, and if it's possible at all, might it be for both past and future. I don't think anyone knows how to relate entropy and time in a rigorous mathematical formulation.

Mathematical formulations generally don't break time's symmetry. +t and -t seem allowed. After Claude Shannon's information based formulation of entropy, it was realized perhaps information offers a more general insight: nature tries to dissipate information just as it tries to increase entropy,an alternative view setting a possibly fixed direction of time..
In DECODING THE UNIVERSE, Charles Seife discusses these entropy/information concepts for about 20 pages or so.
 
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