Gravity and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Thread starter Broodle
Start date Dec 17, 2008
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Gravity Law Second law Thermodynamics

In summary, gravity is a fundamental force that causes objects with mass to be attracted to each other, playing a role in keeping planets in orbit and preventing objects from floating away. The second law of thermodynamics is related to gravity as it leads to an increase in entropy through the movement of objects. Gravity also affects the flow of energy by causing objects to move and transfer energy. The relationship between gravity and temperature is seen through the concept of pressure, where closer proximity to a massive body leads to higher pressure and warmer temperatures. While gravity can be overcome, it cannot be reversed according to our current understanding of physics.

Dec 17, 2008

Broodle

Can gravity be expressed in terms of the second law of thermodynamics?

Science news on Phys.org

Feb 1, 2010

superconformal

arXiv:1001:0785

1. What is gravity?

Gravity is a fundamental force of nature that causes objects with mass to be attracted to each other. It is responsible for keeping planets in orbit around the sun, and objects on Earth from floating away.

2. How does the second law of thermodynamics relate to gravity?

The second law of thermodynamics states that in any natural process, the total amount of disorder (or entropy) in the universe increases. Gravity plays a role in this law by causing objects to move towards each other, which leads to an increase in entropy.

3. How does gravity affect the flow of energy?

Gravity can affect the flow of energy by causing objects to move and transfer energy to other objects. For example, the gravitational force between the Earth and the sun causes the flow of energy in the form of sunlight, which is essential for life on Earth.

4. What is the relationship between gravity and temperature?

Gravity and temperature are related through the concept of pressure. As an object is pulled closer to a massive body, the pressure on that object increases, causing it to heat up. This is seen in the Earth's atmosphere, where the higher pressure at lower altitudes leads to warmer temperatures.

5. Can gravity ever be overcome or reversed?

While gravity is a very strong force, it can be overcome or reversed under certain circumstances. For example, rockets are able to escape Earth's gravity by achieving enough velocity to counteract the force of gravity. However, reversing the direction of gravity itself is currently not possible according to our current understanding of physics.