Re: concepts
Bruce Edmonds (B.Edmonds@MMU.AC.UK)
Fri, 29 Sep 1995 14:51:41 GMT
Don Mikulecky,MCV/VCU,Mikulecky@gems.vcu.edu writes:
> The way we deal with notions of open and closed in thermodynamics is
> quite clear and unambiguous. Three types of system are possible:
> 1) isolated: enclosed by a "skin" through which matter and energy can
> not pass: such systems must go to thermodynamic equilibrium.
> 2) closed: enclosed by a skin through which energy may pass but matter
> may not: these systems are therefore able to maintain steady states
> away from equilibrium as long as matter can be recycled through cycles within
> 3) open: both energy and matter can flow through. anything goes as
> long as the first and second laws are obeyed.
Lt me get these clear. Thus nothing is isolated (except in
the minds of physists, for purposes of approximation or the like).
Almost no living matter is closed. Pretty well everything is open.
Also you did not mention information which may pass without effective
transport of energy or matter (e.g. an Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen
channel?).
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