Difference between revisions of "Second Law of Thermodynamics"
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According to this law, it is impossible to build a [[perpetual motion machine]], and entropy in a completely closed system must either increase or remain constant. It should be noted, however, that the second law is statistical, and therefore this is only true on average. Net decreases of entropy, while rare, are possible. | According to this law, it is impossible to build a [[perpetual motion machine]], and entropy in a completely closed system must either increase or remain constant. It should be noted, however, that the second law is statistical, and therefore this is only true on average. Net decreases of entropy, while rare, are possible. | ||
| − | Creationists claim that the second law disproves evolution<ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/steiger.asp</ref>, | + | Creationists claim that the second law disproves evolution<ref>http://www.trueorigin.org/steiger.asp</ref>, although the scientific community reject this, claiming that evolution on [[Earth]] does not operate in a closed system (ie. taking heat and radiation from the [[sun]]). |
==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
Revision as of 14:28, February 22, 2007
The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that, in a closed system, entropy can never decrease. Put another way, heat tends to flow to cooler places.
According to this law, it is impossible to build a perpetual motion machine, and entropy in a completely closed system must either increase or remain constant. It should be noted, however, that the second law is statistical, and therefore this is only true on average. Net decreases of entropy, while rare, are possible.
Creationists claim that the second law disproves evolution[1], although the scientific community reject this, claiming that evolution on Earth does not operate in a closed system (ie. taking heat and radiation from the sun).