Universe Slowly Heading Toward 'Heat Death'

New calculations suggest there is 100 times more entropy (disorder) than previously estimated.

SUMMARY: In spite of its erupting stars and colliding galaxies, the universe is a surprisingly orderly place. Its entropy, a measure of its disorder, is only a tiny fraction of the maximum allowable amount. Yet, a new calculation of entropy suggests the universe is messier than scientists had thought and slightly further along its gradual journey to death.

Two Australian cosmologists, Chas Egan and Charles Lineweaver, have concluded that the collective entropy of all the supermassive black holes in the centers of galaxies is about 100 times greater than previous estimates. As they reported at arXiv.org in September, because these black holes are the largest contributor to cosmic entropy, this means the entropy of the whole universe is also about 100 times larger than previously estimated.

Entropy quantifies the number of different microscopic states a physical system can have. For instance, an omelet has higher entropy than an egg because there are more ways to arrange an omelet's molecules for it to still remain an omelet. Likewise, a black hole has more entropy because it has myriad ways for the material that has fallen into it to be arranged microscopically without changing the black hole's observable properties--charge, mass and spin.

Having a more reliable entropy estimate is important because for life or other complex phenomena to exist, the entropy of the universe must be less than the maximum possible value, which physicists call "heat death." Consider what happens when hot water is poured into a cold bath. At first the hot and cold water are separate with low entropy. When the waters are thoroughly mixed, maximum entropy is reached and no further heat flow is possible. Should the entropy in the universe reach a maximum value, all dissipative (dispersing) processes including life will end.

Egan and Lineweaver's new value for entropy is still only a billionth of a billionth of the maximum possible entropy, according to estimates, and not everybody thinks the universe is closer to heat death. Entropy was smaller in the early universe and bigger now, but no known physical principle can explain why the cosmic entropy is as low as it is.

Picture from NASA.

To read the entire article click on this link to SCIENCE NEWS.

COMMENT: Entropy (a.k.a. the Second Law of Thermodynamics) is a favorite principle for creationists because they believe entropy works against the idea of evolution. If the amount of disorder in the universe is growing, how can one explain the necessity for more order as life evolves from a one-celled organism to much more complex creatures like humans?

It is easy to see entropy at work. Computers slow down over time and need to be periodically defragmented and cleaned up of unnecessary files. Over the years a house will begin falling apart unless it is regularly repainted and repaired. Our bodies wear out. When something appears to become more complex over time, such as a seed growing into a beautiful flowering plant, it is only because an outside force, such as an Intelligent Designer, was involved in programming.

Scientists appear perplexed as to why there is so little entropy in the cosmos. Could it be because there has been so little time (thousands of years) for disorder to take place compared to the billions of years secular scientists think the universe has been around? Could it be because there is a benevolent Creator who is preserving the universe for His creatures until such a time as He wants it all to end?

Entropy will continue until the end of time. Then a new age will begin, a heavenly age and home where houses will not collapse, humans will not grow old, and confusion and disorder will not take place. This home can be the permanent dwelling for all who will admit their sins and accept the free forgiveness and salvation offered by our Lord Jesus Christ.

For more on a creationist explanation of entropy, click on this link to ICR.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

What are Blue Zones?

Areas where people live unexpectedly long lives. The Blue Zones include Sardinia, Italy (208 centenarians per 100,000 population); Okinawa; Loma Linda, California (home of many Seventh Day Adventists known for their health habits); and the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

Source: Bottom Line Personal (October 1, 2009)

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