October 7, 2009
Universe Slowly Heading Toward 'Heat Death'
New calculations suggest there is 100 times more entropy
(disorder) than previously estimated.
Universe Slowly Heading Toward 'Heat Death'
New calculations suggest there is 100 times more entropy
(disorder) than previously estimated.
SUMMARY: In spite of its erupting stars and colliding galaxies, the universe is
a surprisingly orderly place. Its entropy, a measure of its disorder, is only a tiny
fraction of the maximum allowable amount. Yet, a new calculation of entropy
suggests the universe is messier than scientists had thought and slightly further
along its gradual journey to death.
Two Australian cosmologists, Chas Egan and Charles Lineweaver, have
concluded that the collective entropy of all the supermassive black holes in the
centers of galaxies is about 100 times greater than previous estimates. As they
reported at arXiv.org in September, because these black holes are the largest
contributor to cosmic entropy, this means the entropy of the whole universe is
also about 100 times larger than previously estimated.
Entropy quantifies the number of different microscopic states a physical system
can have. For instance, an omelet has higher entropy than an egg because
there are more ways to arrange an omelet's molecules for it to still remain an
omelet. Likewise, a black hole has more entropy because it has myriad ways for
the material that has fallen into it to be arranged microscopically without
changing the black hole's observable properties--charge, mass and spin.
Having a more reliable entropy estimate is important because for life or other
complex phenomena to exist, the entropy of the universe must be less than the
maximum possible value, which physicists call "heat death." Consider what
happens when hot water is poured into a cold bath. At first the hot and cold
water are separate with low entropy. When the waters are thoroughly mixed,
maximum entropy is reached and no further heat flow is possible. Should the
entropy in the universe reach a maximum value, all dissipative (dispersing)
processes including life will end.
Egan and Lineweaver's new value for entropy is still only a billionth of a billionth
of the maximum possible entropy, according to estimates, and not everybody
thinks the universe is closer to heat death. Entropy was smaller in the early
universe and bigger now, but no known physical principle can explain why the
cosmic entropy is as low as it is.
Picture from NASA.
To read the entire article click on this link to SCIENCE NEWS.
COMMENT: Entropy (a.k.a. the Second Law of Thermodynamics) is a favorite
principle for creationists because they believe entropy works against the idea of
evolution. If the amount of disorder in the universe is growing, how can one
explain the necessity for more order as life evolves from a one-celled organism
to much more complex creatures like humans?
It is easy to see entropy at work. Computers slow down over time and need to
be periodically defragmented and cleaned up of unnecessary files. Over the
years a house will begin falling apart unless it is regularly repainted and
repaired. Our bodies wear out. When something appears to become more
complex over time, such as a seed growing into a beautiful flowering plant, it is
only because an outside force, such as an Intelligent Designer, was involved in
programming.
Scientists appear perplexed as to why there is so little entropy in the cosmos.
Could it be because there has been so little time (thousands of years) for
disorder to take place compared to the billions of years secular scientists think
the universe has been around? Could it be because there is a benevolent
Creator who is preserving the universe for His creatures until such a time as He
wants it all to end?
Entropy will continue until the end of time. Then a new age will begin, a
heavenly age and home where houses will not collapse, humans will not grow
old, and confusion and disorder will not take place. This home can be the
permanent dwelling for all who will admit their sins and accept the free
forgiveness and salvation offered by our Lord Jesus Christ.
For more on a creationist explanation of entropy, click on this link to ICR.
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**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What are Blue Zones?
**************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
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a surprisingly orderly place. Its entropy, a measure of its disorder, is only a tiny
fraction of the maximum allowable amount. Yet, a new calculation of entropy
suggests the universe is messier than scientists had thought and slightly further
along its gradual journey to death.
Two Australian cosmologists, Chas Egan and Charles Lineweaver, have
concluded that the collective entropy of all the supermassive black holes in the
centers of galaxies is about 100 times greater than previous estimates. As they
reported at arXiv.org in September, because these black holes are the largest
contributor to cosmic entropy, this means the entropy of the whole universe is
also about 100 times larger than previously estimated.
Entropy quantifies the number of different microscopic states a physical system
can have. For instance, an omelet has higher entropy than an egg because
there are more ways to arrange an omelet's molecules for it to still remain an
omelet. Likewise, a black hole has more entropy because it has myriad ways for
the material that has fallen into it to be arranged microscopically without
changing the black hole's observable properties--charge, mass and spin.
Having a more reliable entropy estimate is important because for life or other
complex phenomena to exist, the entropy of the universe must be less than the
maximum possible value, which physicists call "heat death." Consider what
happens when hot water is poured into a cold bath. At first the hot and cold
water are separate with low entropy. When the waters are thoroughly mixed,
maximum entropy is reached and no further heat flow is possible. Should the
entropy in the universe reach a maximum value, all dissipative (dispersing)
processes including life will end.
Egan and Lineweaver's new value for entropy is still only a billionth of a billionth
of the maximum possible entropy, according to estimates, and not everybody
thinks the universe is closer to heat death. Entropy was smaller in the early
universe and bigger now, but no known physical principle can explain why the
cosmic entropy is as low as it is.
Picture from NASA.
To read the entire article click on this link to SCIENCE NEWS.
COMMENT: Entropy (a.k.a. the Second Law of Thermodynamics) is a favorite
principle for creationists because they believe entropy works against the idea of
evolution. If the amount of disorder in the universe is growing, how can one
explain the necessity for more order as life evolves from a one-celled organism
to much more complex creatures like humans?
It is easy to see entropy at work. Computers slow down over time and need to
be periodically defragmented and cleaned up of unnecessary files. Over the
years a house will begin falling apart unless it is regularly repainted and
repaired. Our bodies wear out. When something appears to become more
complex over time, such as a seed growing into a beautiful flowering plant, it is
only because an outside force, such as an Intelligent Designer, was involved in
programming.
Scientists appear perplexed as to why there is so little entropy in the cosmos.
Could it be because there has been so little time (thousands of years) for
disorder to take place compared to the billions of years secular scientists think
the universe has been around? Could it be because there is a benevolent
Creator who is preserving the universe for His creatures until such a time as He
wants it all to end?
Entropy will continue until the end of time. Then a new age will begin, a
heavenly age and home where houses will not collapse, humans will not grow
old, and confusion and disorder will not take place. This home can be the
permanent dwelling for all who will admit their sins and accept the free
forgiveness and salvation offered by our Lord Jesus Christ.
For more on a creationist explanation of entropy, click on this link to ICR.
**************************************************************************************
Want to be automatically notified each time there is a new post? Just e-mail
your request to [admin@lutheranscience.org].
**************************************************************************************
QUESTION OF THE DAY
What are Blue Zones?
**************************************************************************************
NOTE ON VISITOR COMMENTS: Visitor comments are invited including those
containing alternate views. However, comments containing profanity or
advertisements will not be published. After posting a comment, please allow
several hours for it to appear on the blog.
**************************************************************************************
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| LSI stands for the Lutheran Science Institute, an organization of WELS and ELS Lutherans interested in science and health issues with a special emphasis on the creation and evolution controversy. This blog's purpose is to search the Internet to find articles of interest to Christians. Views expressed are those of the author (Warren Krug) and are not necessarily those of the Lutheran Science Institute, Inc. |
Areas where people live unexpectedly long lives.
The Blue Zones include Sardinia, Italy (208
centenarians per 100,000 population); Okinawa;
Loma Linda, California (home of many Seventh Day
Adventists known for their health habits); and the
Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.
Source: Bottom Line Personal (October 1, 2009)
The Blue Zones include Sardinia, Italy (208
centenarians per 100,000 population); Okinawa;
Loma Linda, California (home of many Seventh Day
Adventists known for their health habits); and the
Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.
Source: Bottom Line Personal (October 1, 2009)