dU=T*dS -p*dV This is part of the first law of thermodynamics. ∆S(universe)>0. The second law of thermodynamics. S is entropy. Entropy is a measure of disorder. Energy is required to put things in order. For example, a gas is a bunch of molecules moving around in random order. There is not much order or entropy in a gas. However, if you compress that gas with enough pressure, and push the molecules together, they will arrange neatly into an order which turns the gas into a liquid. (That's the difference between a liquid and a gas. In a liquid the molecules are closer bound together, in a gas the molecules move around randomly) That pressure requires energy. So back to ∆S(universe)>0. Do you know what this means? It means that entropy will increase for ever. The particles in the universe will continue to become less ordered and will dissipate. Because dS=dq/T, it means that the universe will continue to transfer thermal energy, in the form of heat, into entropy. Thus, inevitably our universe will meet its fateful heat death. Don't worry, we won't be around long enough to see the actual heat death, though. We will have died long before that happens. It's all going to end in a cold, harsh, lonely death. So what does this life matter anyway? Well, don't worry. Two things make life worth living. First, since we may argue that the universe is infinite, this means that there is also infinte energy in the universe, so, even though dS=dq/T and ∆S(universe)>0, there will always be energy sufficient to perpetuate life. I was reminded of the second thing when I went to lunch and took a break from studying thermo.
That's right. Life is about awesome and cool, and who cares about thermodynamics when you can ride through town in a Geo Tracker.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
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6 comments:
serious. this is the best thing I have read all day... except the scriptures. I love it... it's perfect for you personality.... all the very technical stuff... but at the end of the day you know how to kick back and have some fun... you know what is important in life.... GEO BABY!
my dad almost bought me a geo...i was horrified
(that last comment was from brooke. blogging on the job and forgot to sign out of the work blog. yep, our work has a blog.)
um, are you dissing the Geo? because that's how i get around, little bro. in a Geo Prism. with 2 kiddos in the back. Dangit, i miss my Durango.
I have to admit...I didn't read the whole thermodynamics...lo siento. But the pictures with the Geo are FANTASTIC! How lucky you are to be around such a marvelous vehicle.
i would do just about anything to own a geo metro. except paying for one with real money. i have a request. i want you to post as jbear at least once. write as he would. include images that only jbear would. maybe once a week. maybe?
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