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Originally Posted by Jens
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Originally Posted by papageno
"Open system" means that the system is in contact with another system.
So it can exchange entropy with that other system.
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I guess my understanding was not exactly correct. What would you call a system that is infinite in both space and time? Is it open or closed? I understand well that in a closed system, entropy means that everything will eventually become equalized, but I'm not certain what would happen in a real infinite system. |
Usually, the term
open system is reserved to systems that exchange energy and/or matter with other systems.
This does not seem to happen with our Universe.
An infinite Universe which does not interact with another system, would be a closed system.
The entropy should reach a maximum, but I do not expect this within a finite amount of time.
A state of equilibrium, corresponding to maximum entropy, would be asymptotic (that is, reached only in the limit for time -> infinite).
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Originally Posted by Jens
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Originally Posted by papageno
Why?
Before proposing solutions, you need to make clear what the problem is.
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I'm not sure if I quite understand. I guess if I have to answer this, it would be something like, "a thought experiment." Or another, more , an infinite cosmos would seem more logical to me to one that is not infinite. Of course I realize that reality doesn't necessarily follow what we think it should. But it's the same with Santa Claus. My own personal feeling is that he doesn't exist, for my own logical reasons. But I'm perfectly willing to recognize his existence, if there is no other choice. |
My point was that maybe there is no problem with entropy of the Universe.
If you think there is a problem, you need to tells
us exactly how this problem arises and what makes it a problem.
Only when we know the terms of the problem, can we discuss the possible solutions.
I did not address your solutions because I could not see a problem: I simply thought that considering the Universe as open system was incorrect, and hence the problem you were trying to solve was non-existent.