What is life according to physics?

In summary,Everything in the world is composed of atoms. However, some things have life and others don't. Life is a complex process that we can only subjectively identify. There is a lot of debate over what life is and what it represents in the field of physics, but at least some scientists think it corresponds to a process.
  • #1
benzun_1999
260
0
dear readers,
everything in this world is made up of atoms. but how come certain things have life and certain thing don't have. do atoms have life like us? what is pecular about the atoms that cause life?
-benzun
no one is a expert other than god.who knows every thing?
 
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  • #2
There is no "according to physics" here.

Physics quite intelligently avoids the question: it says "I have enough to worry about, go ask biology"!
 
  • #3
Physics deals with interaction between matter and energy, not life.
 
  • #4
benzun,
Life is a dicy concept. Even Biologists often find it more conventient to refer to "functioning cells" than "living cells". However, as to your question about whether atoms are alive like us, the answer is most assuredly "no". They meet none of the criteria that are used to determine life.
 
  • #5
'It is not the atoms themselves, rather the information that is encoded in arrangements of atoms that is the basis of life.' At least this is the viewpoint of many scientists working in the fields evolutionary biology.

The question of how the concept of life fits into physics is a huge field of debate. For more info, I suggest you look up 'Artificial life' (or 'ALife) on google for a different perspective on the question of life, it is rather interseting, even if you do not quite agree with what is being suggested by the ALife movement.

The book 'Artificial Organisms' is also a very good read if you are interested in this kind of thing.

Claude.
 
  • #6
'It is not the atoms themselves, rather the information that is encoded in arrangements of atoms that is the basis of life.'
That is close to my view, which is that life corresponds to a process, a certain form of complicated flow that we can subjectively identify.

But physics doesn't have an official line on this. Physicists disagree a lot over what life represents - as a brief look through the PF philosophy archives would show.
 
  • #7
That doesn't prevent biophysics from having an active agenda:

http://www.biophysics.org/btol/
Biophysics Textbook OnLine

quart
 
Last edited by a moderator:

1. What is the definition of life according to physics?

According to physics, life can be defined as a self-sustaining and self-replicating system that is able to maintain a stable state by utilizing energy from its environment and exchanging matter and information with its surroundings.

2. How does physics explain the origins of life?

Physics does not have a definitive answer for the origins of life, but it does offer theories such as the concept of abiogenesis, which proposes that life emerged from non-living matter through natural processes.

3. Can life be explained solely through the principles of physics?

While physics can provide a framework for understanding the behavior and properties of living systems, it is not the only discipline that contributes to the study of life. Other fields such as biology, chemistry, and neuroscience also play important roles in understanding life.

4. How does thermodynamics play a role in the study of life?

Thermodynamics, specifically the laws of energy conservation and entropy, is crucial in understanding how living systems maintain their organization and function. Living organisms are constantly exchanging energy with their surroundings to maintain a low entropy state and sustain their existence.

5. Is there a scientific consensus on the definition of life according to physics?

While there is general agreement on the basic principles of life according to physics, there is ongoing debate and research on specific aspects such as the origins of life and the role of quantum mechanics in living systems. Therefore, there is no single, universally accepted definition of life according to physics.

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