PhilSci Archive

Gravity, entropy, and cosmology: in search of clarity

Wallace, David (2009) Gravity, entropy, and cosmology: in search of clarity. [Preprint]

[img]
Preview
PDF
gravent_archive.pdf

Download (233kB)
[img]
Preview
Postscript
gravent_archive.ps

Download (381kB)
[img] Tex/LaTeX
gravent_archive.tex

Download (81kB)

Abstract

I discuss the statistical mechanics of gravitating systems and in particular its cosmological implications, and argue that many conventional views on this subject in the foundations of statistical mechanics embody significant confusion; I attempt to provide a clearer and more accurate account. In particular, I observe that (i) the role of gravity IN entropy calculations must be distinguished from the entropy OF gravity, that (ii) although gravitational collapse is entropy-increasing, this is not usually because the collapsing matter itself increases in entropy, and that (iii) the Second Law of Thermodynamics does not owe its validity to the statistical mechanics of gravitational collapse.


Export/Citation: EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL
Social Networking:
Share |

Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Wallace, David
Keywords: Gravitational Entropy Past Hypothesis
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: Professor David Wallace
Date Deposited: 04 Jul 2009
Last Modified: 07 Oct 2010 15:18
Item ID: 4744
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Cosmology
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: June 2009
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/4744

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item