Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 26, 2025
08:16
Ice Generation and the Heat and Mass Transfer Phenomena of Introducing Water to a Cold Bath of Brine
Published on: March 13, 2017
14.0K
Philosophy of thermodynamics.
1Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
Summary
This study revives atomism, proposing light quanta as fundamental elements to ground thermodynamics. Entropy quantifies system states, explaining natural processes and offering a holistic worldview across disciplines.
Area of Science:
- Physics
- Thermodynamics
- Philosophy of Science
Background:
- Thermodynamics currently lacks a foundational basis derived from microscopic principles.
- Atomism is revisited, identifying the light quantum as a fundamental, indivisible element.
- Existing thermodynamic laws govern macroscopic phenomena but lack microscopic derivation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a foundational theory for thermodynamics by linking it to microscopic entities.
- To quantify system states using entropy based on probabilistic measures.
- To provide a unified framework for understanding natural phenomena across diverse scientific fields.
Main Methods:
- Revival of atomism with the light quantum as the basic building block.
- Quantification of system states using entropy, defined as a logarithmic probability measure multiplied by Boltzmann's constant.
- Analysis of natural processes in terms of free energy consumption and temporal evolution.
Main Results:
- Entropy change is shown to represent a system's progression toward thermodynamic equilibrium.
- Natural processes consuming free energy exhibit sigmoidal accumulation and skewed distributions.
- A framework is established to interpret phenomena from physics to philosophy using thermodynamic principles.
Conclusions:
- Thermodynamics can be grounded in microscopic constituents, specifically light quanta.
- Entropy serves as a universal measure for system states and evolution.
- This approach offers a holistic worldview, connecting natural and social sciences and addressing fundamental existential questions.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Statements of the Second Law of Thermodynamics
4.1K
The second law of thermodynamics can be stated in several different ways, and all of them can be shown to imply the others. The Clausius’ statement of the second law of thermodynamics is based on the irreversibility of spontaneous heat flow. It states that heat will not flow from the colder body to the hotter body unless some other process is involved. Additionally, as per the Kelvin’s statement, it is impossible to convert the heat from a single source into work without any other...
4.1K
01:06Thermodynamic Systems
5.2K
A thermodynamic system is a set of objects whose thermodynamic properties are of interest. The system is considered to be embedded in its surroundings or the environment. The system and its environment can exchange heat and do work on each other through a boundary that separates them. However, the immediate surroundings of the system interact with it directly and therefore have a much stronger influence on its behavior and properties.
Consider an example of tea boiling in a kettle. The...
Consider an example of tea boiling in a kettle. The...
5.2K
01:20Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
2.9K
The second law of thermodynamics can be stated quantitatively using the concept of entropy. Entropy is the measure of disorder of the system.
The relation between entropy and disorder can be illustrated with the example of the phase change of ice to water. In ice, the molecules are located at specific sites giving a solid state, whereas, in a liquid form, these molecules are much freer to move. The molecular arrangement has therefore become more randomized. Although the change in average...
The relation between entropy and disorder can be illustrated with the example of the phase change of ice to water. In ice, the molecules are located at specific sites giving a solid state, whereas, in a liquid form, these molecules are much freer to move. The molecular arrangement has therefore become more randomized. Although the change in average...
2.9K
01:13The First Law of Thermodynamics
6.0K
The first law of thermodynamics deals with the total amount of energy in the universe. It states that this total amount of energy is constant. In other words, there has always been, and always will be, exactly the same amount of energy in the universe. Energy exists in many different forms. According to the first law of thermodynamics, energy may transfer from place to place or transform into different forms, but it cannot be created or destroyed. The transfers and transformations of energy...
6.0K
01:14Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
5.1K
Experimentally, if object A is in equilibrium with object B, and object B is in equilibrium with object C, then object A is in equilibrium with object C. That statement of transitivity is called the "zeroth law of thermodynamics." For example, a cold metal block and a hot metal block are both placed on a metal plate at room temperature. Eventually, the cold block and the plate will be in thermal equilibrium. In addition, the hot block and the plate will be in thermal equilibrium.
5.1K
01:17First Law of Thermodynamics
4.3K
A change in the internal energy of a system depends on the the net heat transfer into the system and the net work done by the system. The first law of thermodynamics, which is a generalized form of energy conservation, relates these three quantities mathematically. It states that the change in the internal energy equals the difference between the heat transfer and work done by the system.
The applied heat increases the internal energy of a system. Hence, conventionally heat is considered...
The applied heat increases the internal energy of a system. Hence, conventionally heat is considered...
4.3K