MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Subject: Does an expanding universe violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

Date: Mon Jan 25 15:24:11 1999
Posted by Steve Tumasz
Grade level: 7-9
School: Tamanend Middle School
City: Warrington State/Province: PA
Country: USA
Area of science: Physics
ID: 917299451.Ph
Message:

In most places I have looked for information about entropy, they have used it to 
measure disorder. Yet, according to many web pages and books, it can be measured 
using the formula S=H/T. Now, if you apply this formula to our universe, be it 
open, flat, or closed, entropy seems to be decreasing. As the universe expands, 
as it does in all views of our universe, its temperature decreases. According to 
my science teacher, if temperature drops, its heat also drops. Therefore, in an 
open universe, entropy must decrease, since the H in S=H/T is negative. A flat 
universe would also have negtive entropy, but to a lesser extent. A closed 
universe could have positive, zero, or negative entropy, depending on how its 
heat changes. Assuming there is no flaw in the Second Law of Thermodynamics, 
what is the flaw in my reasoning? 
If this makes no sense, please forgive me. This was done based on a few books, a 
few web pages, and two middle school science teachers. 



Re: Does an expanding universe violate the Second Law of Thermodynamics?

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