B How does the universe expand with the law of thermodynamic

[Ekue Kpodar]

If space is expanding wouldn't that violate the first law of thermodynamics

 

[phinds]

If space is expanding wouldn't that violate the first law of thermodynamics

Why do you think it would?

 

[Drakkith]

The first law of thermodynamics has to do with conservation of energy. The problem is that defining the total energy of the universe is problematic and there's no one way to go about doing so if I remember correctly. I don't have much info on this topic, but I believe the answer is that conservation of energy doesn't apply when talking about the universe as a whole. Hopefully someone here can give you better info than I can.

 

[Drakkith]

Why do you think it would?

I'd think so if I'd never read up on the issue before.

 

[phinds]

I'd think so if I'd never read up on the issue before.

Yes, but I was trying to point him to conservation of energy on his own before spilling the beans the way you did

 

[Ekue Kpodar]

Thanks

 

[Nugatory]

Worth reading: http://math.ucr.edu/home/baez/physics/Relativity/GR/energy_gr.html

 

[russ_watters]

I'd think so if I'd never read up on the issue before.

I'm not so sure I would (I don't think I did the first time I heard about it). Why doesn't a baseball flying up violate the first law of thermodynamics?

 

[Drakkith]

I'm not so sure I would (I don't think I did the first time I heard about it). Why doesn't a baseball flying up violate the first law of thermodynamics?

I've seen that very question asked here on PF before.