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Science

DetlefK

(16,423 posts)

3. Entropy is the question how many ways there are to create a certain situation.

Reply to Loki Liesmith (Reply #1)

Tue Jan 8, 2019, 08:14 AM

Jan 2019

In a crystal it's easy to switch two atoms without changing the crystal as a whole. An organic compound has many different kinds of atoms and there are far less options for switching two random atoms without changing the system.

That's why a crystal has a high entropy and life has a low entropy.

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Highlight:

Our current best guess how life comes from non-life. [View all] DetlefK Jan 2019 OP

I'm not sure I believe Life has less entropy than non-life Loki Liesmith Jan 2019 #1

Entropy is the question how many ways there are to create a certain situation. DetlefK Jan 2019 #3

Respectfully I think that's exactly backwards Loki Liesmith Jan 2019 #5

To elaborate a bit more Loki Liesmith Jan 2019 #7

Yes... ice has less entropy than water or vapor. DetlefK Jan 2019 #8

You have it backwards. Salviati Jan 2019 #9

Wikipedia. DetlefK Jan 2019 #10

I heard a geologist say if you have two rocks that collide you can have life. littlemissmartypants Jan 2019 #2

May The Force be with you! Ink Addict Jan 2019 #4

**SIGH** Entropy must increase or stay constant WITHIN A CLOSED SYSTEM. (badly mistitled OP) eppur_se_muova Jan 2019 #6

Plus heat flow, and chemical energy, from thermal vents powered by the Earth's internal heat muriel_volestrangler Jan 2019 #11

Correct, I should have said heat and radiation *on a planetary surface/ocean* is the best candidate. eppur_se_muova Jan 2019 #12