Three Laws of Thermodynamics
QUESTION: Why are the three laws of thermodynamics so important?ANSWER:Why are the three Laws of Thermodynamics so important? Our concept of "Modern Science" is based on a series of major discoveries that define our understanding of the universe. Advancements in mathematics, biology, physics, chemistry, and other disciplines have usually been accompanied by defining, or discovering, fundamental principles. The Laws of Thermodynamics are important because they control interactions of everything in the universe - regardless of scale. These rules stretch across every form of science known to humankind.
Classical physics is, from a certain perspective, entirely based on Newton's Laws of motion. Most of the equations and principles taught in physics are based on these simply stated rules. In a similar way, thermodynamics is defined and based on the fundamental principles known as the Laws of Thermodynamics. All of the equations and guidelines used to design engines, analyze machines, and understand natural phenomena are subject to these laws.
The Laws of Thermodynamics take on a special importance because of their scope. It has been shown that Newton's laws of physics are only applicable in certain conditions. These conditions include pretty much every situation important to most engineers, chemists, and scientists. However, there are some known conditions where "Newtonian" physics are inaccurate. The Laws of Thermodynamics have no such exceptions. Energy is conserved, regardless of the amount or type of energy. Closed systems always tend towards greater entropy unless externally modified, whether those systems are atomic or galactic in size.
This means that the three Laws of Thermodynamics have influence over every scientific discipline, every biological or geological process, and every interstellar system. We can immediately test certain ideas against the Laws of Thermodynamics to see if they follow some of the universe's most basic rules. Ideas that don't follow those rules are either wrong or must be caused by some supernatural influence. For example, perpetual motion machines are provably impossible according to the Laws of Thermodynamics. The first law shows that energy (or matter) cannot be created from nothing, and the second law shows that a closed system will degrade its own energy over time. A machine that runs forever without any external energy source is either fictional or powered by some unnatural source.
Implications of the Laws of Thermodynamics, much more than other concepts, have sparked fierce debate about the very origins of the universe. The Laws of Thermodynamics leave some popular scientific theories in serious doubt. The fact that matter can neither be created or destroyed, according to the First Law of Thermodynamics, raises questions about where all of the matter in the universe came from. Interestingly, there are those who shrug off disagreements between the Laws of Thermodynamics and certain popular scientific theories. While the fundamental laws of matter and energy, the Laws of Thermodynamics, are used to measure truth in every other discipline, some scientists ignore these laws as they pertain to their theories. Since the Laws of Thermodynamics define the rules of the natural universe, how do we explain things that those Laws say are not possible? If matter cannot be created, where did it come from? It is certainly here, and nothing natural can create it. This makes a supernatural source more than just a possible conclusion - it makes it the only conclusion that fits the Laws of Thermodynamics. If something exists when natural laws say that it cannot be created, then something or someone operating outside of those laws must be responsible. The Laws of Thermodynamics lead us not only to greater knowledge of the natural universe, but they point us toward answers outside of that universe as well.
