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Thermodynamics - thermodynamic arrow of time
Expert: Richard J. Raridon - 10/14/2009
Question
As time passes, physicists say the energy in the universe becomes unusable or disorganized. I don't understand how this defines 'the thermodynamic arrow of time.' Also, if a few atoms in a gas become more organized by chance does it mean there is something wrong with the 'thermodynamic arrow of time'?
Answer
Entropy is a measure of disorder. Although a few atoms might become more organized, indicating a decrease in entropy, somewhere else the increase in entropy more than offsets that. In other words, the universe is slowly using up energy, and there's nothing we can do about it.
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