What is the Degree of Order in Parallel Lines?

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The discussion centers on whether 100 lines in the same direction represent a higher degree of order than 10 lines. Participants suggest that 100 lines indicate a greater order due to the increased energy required to align them. The conversation touches on concepts from thermodynamics and order parameters in field theory, noting that a higher number of lines can lead to more efficient diffraction in gratings. There is a call for clarification on what is meant by "higher degree of order." Overall, the exchange explores the relationship between quantity and order in both physical and theoretical contexts.
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Hi

can i say that 100 lines in the same direction represents a higher degree of order then
10 lines in the same direction?

if not then what is the best example?


thanks.
 
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Hi eranb2;1838295! :smile:
eranb2 said:
Hi

can i say that 100 lines in the same direction represents a higher degree of order then
10 lines in the same direction?

if not then what is the best example

Is this a thermodynamics/entropy question? :confused:

Or is it just a general "order of magnitude" question?

If the latter, how about $100 is a higher order of expenditure than $10?

If the former, "100 lines in the same direction" isn't just a higher degree of order … it's totally ordered! :biggrin:

can't you think up an example that's less extreme (and physical rather than geometrical)? :wink:
 
You definitely can say that 100 lines in a row represents an increase in order over 10 lines in a row. More energy needs to be invested to put the 100 lines in a row than it does to put just 10 in a row and that is one way to see this.
 
It's not clear what you (the OP) means by "higher degree of order". The order parameter, from field theory, has a clear meaning- it is zero in a symmetric phase and non-zero otherwise. There's ways to assess the regularity of "sort of" periodic functions by looking at the Fourier transform- arrays of lines can be represented fairly simply, and given the same line-line spacing, 100 lines require a larger envelope than 10; in Fourier space, the first function will cover a smaller spectral range, with an interpretation that it more closely approximates a truly periodic function.

Another way to think of the situation is for a diffraction grating- a grating with 100 rulings will diffract more efficiently than a grating of 10 rulings; this can be a measure of order as well, I suppose.

Can you be a little more specific by what you mean?
 
Hi

I read david bohm's book about order and creativity and was thinking.
 
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