Does this 2nd law of Thermodynamics even exist? Or is it propaganda?

Question

I asked a question this morning trying to learn more about evolution so I could argue more effectively and I used the word "macroevolution." Only after irritating sever people and getting told off twice did I learn that the word macroevolution is a part of the creationist propaganda machine. I've never bothered to learn about this 2nd law of thermodynamics thing because it's my understanding that it has no baring on evolution. But does it even exist at all? It sounds more like geology than biology, but what do I know?

Thank you all very much! Picking a best answer will be hard because all have been very helpful. Thanks!

Answer 1

Yes, the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics exists. It is one of the most profound laws of the universe, even more profound than the 1st Law (conservation of energy). (Thermodynamics is the science of heat and energy transfer.) And it is more profound that natural selection. (I.e. if the two were in conflict ... I would have to go with the 2nd Law.)

The claim that entropy violates the 2nd Law is another piece of false propaganda promoted by creationists. The second law is true. But evolution does not violate it ... so both can be true ... there is no conflict.

Creationists misunderstand the 2nd Law to say that the disorder (entropy) of a system can only increase ... i.e. that order (life) cannot arise from disorder (non-life). This is trivially false, as a snowflake is an example of spontaneous order. Or a refrigerator freezing ice cubes is making order (ice) from disorder (water) ... how does it do that? Because the fridge has an external energy source (the plug in the wall).

Creationists miss the point that the 2nd Law says that the disorder (entropy) of a CLOSED system can only increase. The earth is not a closed system. It has an external energy source (the sun). The earth also has internal energy sources (volcanic activity). Thus it the spontaneous arrival of life on earth is NOT a violation of the 2nd Law.

So the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is not itself propaganda. But its USE by creationists IS propaganda, when they distort or misinterpret what it says.

Answer 2

The laws of thermodynamics are based on observation and other basic laws. There have never been any observations that any are ever violated. Until such a violation is found, the laws are assumed to exist. You are right, however, in that the laws of thermodynamics have no bearing on evolution.

Answer 3

http://www.secondlaw.com/
http://www.2ndlaw.com/

Both these pages are run by a retired physics professor, and are superb! They are the most accessible explanations I've come across for the 2nd law.

Yes, it's real. No, it doesn't mean what creationists think it means.

Answer 4

See if this helps you

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_law_of_thermodynamics

Answer 6

entropy, enthalpy, can't we all just get along