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Entropy and Life

Hey Tim,
Remember that wiki article you linked me to?  Maybe we could discuss it in the comments of this link.  Sound good?
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Leo White said…
Lemmee kick off, with the hope you'll pick up.
For starters, the equation by McCulloch doesn't mean anything to me: what's dQ?
9:33 PM
Unknown said…
Hey Leo,

The equations aren't really important in that article. dX (where X in any variable) is essentially synonymous with delta_x, or change in X. dX means a small change in X. Technically, dX is an infinitesimally small change in X - this assumption is the basis of calculus. What that equation means in words is that if you add a small amount of heat energy to a closed system otherwise kept at constant temperature, you will likely contribute to it's disorder. This, if I hold an ice cube and put a lighter by it (adding the dQ), some of it will melt into water - thus ruining its order and increasing its entropy (corresponding to an increase in S on the other side of the equation).
2:56 PM
Leo White said…
Yeah, and if you hold the ice cube with your fingers you're gonna burn your bloomin' hand off...
7:58 PM
Leo White said…
Okay, I'll try to get back to the article...
10:18 PM
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