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AstroChuck's avatar

Are the four known forces subject to thermodynamic law?

Asked by AstroChuck (37609points) October 11th, 2008 from iPhone

The second law of thermodynamics dictates all things go from an ordered state to a chaotic one, but does this apply to gravity, electromagnetism, and/or the subatomic forces? Are they subject to entropy and, if so, at what rate? My guess is that it does but I know that many of you are far more learned than I am and have the answer.

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5 Answers

squirbel's avatar

Well, considering the law is referring to the dynamics of heat [thermodynamics], I would have to answer – no.

AstroChuck's avatar

Energy = Heat

Skyrail's avatar

Heat is a form of energy as opposed to being equal to energy (as in, another definition of). I’d be interested to see what other types of energy the laws apply to, but surely if the laws of thermodynamics apply to other energy types then laws created to explain how other types of energy work apply to each other as opposed to that specific type of energy.

jlm11f's avatar

I would say yes. I think everything is subject to entropy. or maybe i just think this way due to the condition of my room Gravity, in a way is itself causing something to go from an orderly state to a disorderly or chaotic state.

Zyx's avatar

Entropy doesn’t work on that small a scale, I was very confused by this myself once. You should read up on superconductors, they brought me to this question: http://www.fluther.com/81069/how-does-heat-escape-entropy-if-its-just-bouncing-balls-after/

Guy in that thread mentions that thermodynamic law is based on large scale observations that no longer apply when going that small.

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