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Testing the Minimum System Entropy and the Quantum of Entropy
Uwe Hohm1, Christoph Schiller2
1Institut für Physikalische und Theoretische Chemie, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Gaußstr. 17, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)
|November 24, 2023
Summary
This study reviews entropy limits, confirming a minimum system entropy of kln2 across macroscopic and single-particle systems. Observability requirements and uncertainty relations support this fundamental principle of nature.
Area of Science:
- Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
- Quantum Information Theory
- Black Hole Physics
Background:
- Entropy is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics, with established limits for macroscopic systems.
- The behavior of entropy in single-particle systems and its relation to quantum mechanics requires further clarification.
- Existing theories face conceptual tensions regarding entropy additivity, statistical calculations, and entropy production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize experimental and theoretical results on entropy limits.
- To clarify the distinction between minimum system entropy and quantum of entropy.
- To resolve conceptual tensions with fundamental laws and principles of thermodynamics.
Main Methods:
- Review of experimental data confirming entropy limits.
- Theoretical analysis of entropy in macroscopic and single-particle systems.
- Examination of black hole entropy and its implications.
- Analysis of observability requirements and uncertainty relations.
Main Results:
- All experimental results confirm a minimum system entropy (S) of at least kln2.
- Distinctions between minimum system entropy and quantum of entropy are clarified.
- Conceptual tensions with the third law of thermodynamics, additivity, statistical calculations, and entropy production are resolved.
- Observability requirements inherently imply the minimum system entropy of kln2.
Conclusions:
- A general principle of minimum system entropy (kln2) is established, valid across nature.
- Thermodynamics can be derived from the existence of this minimum entropy principle.
- The findings reconcile quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, providing a unified view of entropy.
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