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The second law of thermodynamics states that in a closed system entropy will increase meaning that complex things should break down into simpler ones Evolutionary theory suggests that living things?
Rklondon
Neither living organisms nor Earth nor even our solar system are closed systems.
The minor entropy decreases caused by life processes are more than made up for by the entropy increases by the functioning of the sun, of the absorption in the oceans, etc.
Entropy is countered by the influx of solar energy and the gravitational field of (in this case) the Earth. This influx of solar energy makes the Earth not a closed system. The gravitational field was never considered in the formation of the laws of thermodynamics (neither were magnetic or electro-static fields for that matter). By the second law - stars and planets should never form - and clearly they have.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoThe earth is not a closed system. The sun constantly provides more energy.
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Why does thermodynamics not preclude the evolution of life on earth?
A common creationist misconception is that the Second Law of Thermodynamics prohibits things getting more complex. The law is usually misrepresented as demanding that "everything runs down." But if this were true, not just evolution would be impossible, but also the growth of an adult human from a fertilized egg cell.The simplest counter to the creationist argument that "thermodynamics precludes evolution" is to observe that the second law does *not* prohibit a temporary, localized reversal of entropy. In the case of life on Earth, the laws of gravity and chemistry, combined with the energy provided by the sun, provide the engine that drives a localized, temporary (on cosmic scales) reversal of entropy.
How is thermodynamics related to optics?
The light you see results from a very complex yet simple process. Lets study that first. When energy(supposedly heat energy) is transferred to atoms an electron(s) jump to a higher energy orbital but soon comes back down because it cannot remain that way forever due to thermodynamics(Everything in the universe tries to achieve a higher entropy). So it releases that energy in the form of photon(s). A photon is the smallest unit of life. It is the quantified state of light. Now several electrons release several photons to form a beam of light. So the entire process requires energy transfer and conversion which is the basis of thermodynamics. I can provide more details but i think it would be better if you studied how light is produced in details.
What type of machine is a curling iron - complex or compound?
complex!
Is a fan a complex machine?
There's a rule of thumb when it comes to complex machines. If it can't be made with LEGO's, it's complex.
What is a complex sound that is pleasant called?
A pleasant complex sound is a consonance, an unpleasant is a dissonance
Will advanced organisms be the same as complex organismswhy?
The complexity of body design will increase over evolutionary time. This is the process by which new modifications occur in the organisms. So, in this way we can say that advanced organisms will be complex as compared to complex organisms...
Why do biological organisms violate the laws of thermodynamics?
Biological organisms do not violate the laws of thermodynamics. Instead, they operate within and are subject to these laws. Living systems utilize energy from their environment, taking in nutrients and converting them into useful forms of energy. While biological processes are able to maintain and increase order locally, the overall entropy of the universe continues to increase in accordance with the second law of thermodynamics.
How does evolution produce new and complex features?
It is still and unanswered question among evolutionary biologists. Or you might say there is no consensus.
What can you do personally to increase your carbohydrate intake?
to increase your intake of complex carbohydrates, what could you incorporate into your diet?
Breakdown of complex substances in living things?
The breakdown (usually in living systems) from complex substances to simpler substances is called catalysis. In terms of thermodynamics, the breakdown from more ordered (often more complex) states to more disordered (often simpler) states is called entropy.
How does the length of the history of life help to explain the evolutionary events of single-celled organisms to complex multicellular organisms like mammals?
Not sure
How does polymorphism in cnidarians contribute to their evolutionary success?
Polymorphism or different phenotypes in a single species could be responsible for the diversity in the cnidarians evolutionary tree which happens to be extremely diverse and complex, ultimately increasing its chances of survival.
Who proposed chemical evolution?
Probably Darwin but he also said that if something as small as an atom was more complex than us, then discard the evolutionary theory
What has the author C Dyke written?
C. Dyke has written: 'The Evolutionary Dynamics of Complex Systems' -- subject(s): Social evolution, Social systems, Sociobiology
Is the famous 1976 saying that Clausius and Darwin cannot both be right true?
No; it would appear to be the result of misunderstanding the Second of Law of Thermodynamics (due to Clausius), which states that the entropy in a closed system increases. This does not prohibit the reduction of entropy (as in the evolution of complex life forms) in a limited space as long as it is balanced by a greater increase in entropy elsewhere. But more importantly, the Earth is not a closed system in the sense of thermodynamics: it receives radiant energy from the Sun, and loses heat to space. The quotation, by the way, is due to Roger Caillois, but it is hardly famous.
What is a Evolutionary Trends?
Evolutionary trends are either progressive or retrogressive. During progressive evolution new structures are created whereas in retrogressive evolution the existing structures are reduced or eliminated.
How does irreducible complexity relate to the flagellar motor?
Researchers have proposed potentially viable evolutionary pathways for allegedly irreducibly complex systems such as blood clotting, the immune system and the flagellum
