Thermodynamics Videos
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A recounting in broken English of my best understanding of the article `The Law of Maximum Entropy Production` from the website http://www.entropylaw.com In short: - In any situation, the universe will seek to maximize its capacity for redistributing energy and maximizing entropy (ie. path of least resistence). - Ordered structures are usually more efficient at maximizing entropy than unordered structures (take for instance intelligent terrestrial life, burning through millions of years worth of fossil deposits in mere decades). - Ordered structure does spontaneously appear wherever there is sufficient potential. Author: XGralgrathor Keywords: second law of thermodynamics entropy and evolution why the universe is in business maximum production Added: July 1, 2008

30min lecture delivered by Prof. Beretta at the Junilee 40th Symposium on Mathematical Physics "Geometry & Quanta" on June 25, 2008 in Torun, Poland, held in honor of Prof. A. Kossakowski on his 70th birthday.The lecture summarizes the main mathematical features of the nonlinear dynamical equation proposed in the 1980's by Prof. Beretta and recently "rediscovered" by various authors, to decribe the nonunitary evolution of density operators along the direction of steepest entropy ascent (that is, maximal entropy generation) compatible with energy conservation. The density operator is what describes the state of a system within quantum theory. More on this subject is available at www.quantumthermodynamics.org where several not readily available papers can be downloaded.

Author: danabc2 Added: Wed, 04 Jun 2008 21:19:32 -0800 Duration: 506Not your typical Physics Video

Episode #1989 I didn't have a choice -- or did I?

Simon Schaffer is a historian of science at the University of Cambridge, England. In this podcast, he discusses the search for absolute zero and its impact on science and technology. Podcast produced by David Levin. Interview by David Dugan. Funding for NOVA is provided by David H. Koch, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and public television viewers. To learn more about the race to conquer cold, visit our Web site at http://pbs.org/nova/zero

Who says there's no writing talent in the Horgan family?... The most depressing law of thermodynamics... Fun facts about the post-apocalypse... Heroic drinking with a post-Hemingway writer... When's the next mass extinction?... We've solved checkers. Is

*WARNING* This experiment uses fire. Be safe, use common sense, and be sure there is an adult in the room, so you have someone to blame if something goes wrong.Heating a Balloon was originally Experiment of the Week #13, written May 15, 1997. This is a variation of an old, Victorian parlor trick, but even after over 100 years, it is still just as amazing. In Victorian times, the experiment was done by folding a calling card (much like a modern business card) into a square container. When the paper container was filled with water, it could be held over a candle to boil the water without the paper catching fire.For this modern version, you will need: - a candle - matches or a lighter - several balloons - waterBlow up one of the ballons and tie it off. Light the candle. Now, what do you think would happen if you held the balloon in the candle flame? Lets try it and see. Carefully, hold the balloon just at the top of the candle flame. BANG! Just as you probably predicted, the balloon pops and it blows out the candle. Now, lets try that again, but this time with a twist. Instead of filling the balloon with air, lets make it a little more fun. Lets try the experiment with a water balloon! Carefully stretch the mouth of the balloon over a water faucet and slowly fill the balloon with water. Then blow in a little air and tie it off.At this point, work over a sink or outside, just in case things don't work as they should. Once again, light the candle, and hold the balloon over the candle, just at the top of the flame. What happens? You probably expected the balloon to pop, getting you wet. Instead, the bottom of the balloon turned black, but it did not pop. Why?Understanding the Science Water is very good at soaking up heat. Because the balloon is very thin, heat energy passes through it quickly heating the water on the inside. As the water near the flame starts to get hot, it rises, letting cooler water take its place to soak up more heat. This process lets the water balloon absorb a tremendous amount of heat without popping.The black stuff on the balloon is the element carbon. It did not come from the balloon. Instead, it was deposited by the candle flame. The balloon has not been burned or damaged.The idea of absorbing heat to control it is a very useful idea indeed. Firefighters use it to protect themselves while they are fighting fires. The radiator in your car absorbs heat from the engine to keep it from overheating. Heat sinks in computers absorb heat to protect delicate circuits. The idea even applies to ice cream, which absorbs the heat from hot fudge sauce, cooling it enough so you can eat it without burning your mouth.Have a wonder-filled week!

Marge worries that Bart and Lisa are going stir crazy during a teacher strike.