Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

To: FredZarguna

Other than supposed macro-evolution, show one thing on this earth where the thermodynamic laws do not apply.


55 posted on 06/09/2015 10:31:45 AM PDT by jps098
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies ]


To: jps098; Idaho_Cowboy
What the hell are you talking about?

I didn't say the laws of thermodynamics don't apply. I said they don't say what you think they say.

There is no "supposed" "macro" evolution. There is evolution. And evolution obeys the laws of thermodynamics.

You can't draw a box around some arbitrary part of a system and claim you're "applying" the laws of thermodynamics. When you think, you are organizing information, which corresponds to a decrease in entropy. That doesn't mean your brain can violate the laws of thermodynamics. The result of the thinking process is that heat is given off to the universe, and that change in entropy is positive, and larger than the entropy decrease within your brain.

Here is a very simple example of drawing an arbitrary box around part of the system where the laws of thermodynamics apply, and claiming that the Second Law is violated. Put two very large objects at different temperatures in contact with each other. Heat Q will flow from the hot body to the cold one. The entropy change for the hot body is ≈-Q/Thot. The entropy change for the cold body is ≈+Q/Tcold. If you consider only the hot body, its entropy has decreased. GASP! By your logic, the hot body has violated the Second Law. No such thing. The total entropy change is for the whole universe, and it's Q(Thot-Tcold)/ThotTcold. That is manifestly positive.

The Earth is not an isolated system. Energy is coming in from the sun every moment, and energy is leaving into space. You can't just draw a box around the Earth and claim that because there are some isolated parts of it -- like your own brain -- where entropy is decreased that they're "special" and "violate" the Second Law. They don't. You need to get better arguments. The one you're using was shot down over a hundred years ago. If you're going to make a scientific argument, you could at least be up to date. Until you are, stop making yourself look stupid.

64 posted on 06/09/2015 12:58:40 PM PDT by FredZarguna (It looks just like a Telefunken U-47 -- with leather.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson