Your Daily Equation #32: Entropy and the Arrow of Time

Episode 32 #YourDailyEquation: Einstein referred to entropy and the second law of thermodynamics as the only insights into the workings of the world that would never be overthrown. Join Brian Greene as he explores how these concepts illuminate the difference between past and future--why glasses break but don't unbreak, why candles burn but don't unburn, why we age but don't un-age. Why, that is, there is an arrow to time. Surprisingly, the discussion brings in the Big Bang itself.

Even if your math is a bit rusty, join Brian Greene for brief and breezy discussions of pivotal equations and exciting stories of nature and numbers that will allow you to see the universe in a new way.

The World Science Festival (WSF) is an innovative multi-media organization that produces original live and digital content straddling the arenas of science, technology, the arts, media, performance and education. With the goal of radically transforming public perceptions of science, WSF creates world-class programming, both live on stage and televised, featuring inspired collaborations, outstanding talent and novel production techniques that bring scientific discovery, insight and perspective to a broad general audience.

[kronkite]

I'm not sure if you read the comments posted following your videos, or would even have the time(!), but I'd like to offer a heartfelt thanks for them, and to remark that I cannot get over how much time you willingly give up to educate, entertain and inspire us. So, so generous. Thank you.

[avadhutd]

Hi Professor,
Thanks for Ur lecture
Lots of love from India
God bless you BG

[martijn]

I stood in front of the tombstone of Boltzmann in Vienna on friday 13th on my 50th birthday, just days before the world went corona 'crazy'. The cemetery was almost closed, it was hard to find, but in twilight even more impressive! This is an equation that will last.

[Izzy-qfdo]

Mom: Get your life together.

Me: Can't Entropy.

[craigrotay]

All the Daily Equations have been perfect. I can't wait for the next one. BUT, This one is so great to get a feel for the laws of thermodynamics. Dr. Brian is brilliant in explaining principles that are challenging to dumb asses like me.

[gedlangosz]

All I can say is that my desk has a very high entropy and is extremely unlikely to decrease any time soon!

[meetghelani]

I've never been addicted to something like this...this much! Thank you Dr. Greene for your valuable insights and wisdom through this series and thanks a lot WSF!

[ShannonMcDowell]

Thank you for these videos! I'm not a student in physics, but I've always had a great interest in it, and I've learned a lot from these sessions. Thank you again and take care, stay well and safe!

[laaradee]

Used to decide whether or not to buy a dictionary on their definition of ‘entropy’, it was surprising but common to find dictionaries with no entry for entropy.

[geoffreyfaust]

Leo Tolstoy also observed that there are more disordered states than ordered ones in Anna Karenina: "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

[robertgoss]

From explaining the Big Bang to demonstrating the basics of General Relativity on TV with Stephen Colbert, you have made difficult scientific ideas understandable to us all. Science dorks around the world owe you a huge debt. Thanks a million, Dr. Greene.

[danielbachour]

Fantastic professor Brian! I think this has been the best explanation I have ever seen about entropy!! I feel happy to say this! Thanks for all you have gave to us!!

[vickyprabhat]

This episode was sponsored by Christopher Nolan, so that you can understand his upcoming movie, TENET. Entropy and arrow of time. The inversion.

[esker]

My man who’s been in all sorts of amazing documentaries with amazing visuals and broad strokes of theories- literally now has me back in AP Physics just as confused as ever once the X and letters enter the picture lol. Almost had some flashbacks there till I remembered how my teacher taught us how to manipulate the reference sheet ;) but this is what happens when science communicators can backup their statements with the cold math... Thanks as always!!!

[pradeepdixit]

Thank you professor... Respect from India ❤

[paulg]

my appreciation of Brian Greene grows daily !!

[borntoosoon]

Thank you Prof. Greene; very interesting as usual ! So that's why time travel is forbidden, because it would reverse the tendency of entropy to grow.
Regarding the arrow of time, you said that things fall in order to reach a region of spacetime where time is slower. Could it be that "falling" should be a way to escape from a region with high entropy (because time is faster so more configurations happen) to another with potentially less entropy due to a "shorter" arrow of time ? Taking this reasoning to its extreme, it is correct to say that if time stops entropy doesn't grow anymore?
Another crazy idea: could it be that traveling through time is much more "expensive" than traveling through space ? (I'm talking about components of spacetime)
Because when there is a component along the time axis, things "age" (there are changes of state) and so entropy grows...(maybe the Universe tries to fight entropy with gravity). Sorry, but all these lessons unleash my fantasy :-)

[Anthos]

Artificial atomic structures created by electrochemical resonance will help us to take the first steps in dealing with this great chapter talking about the reversibility of time. Thank you.

[SirLothian]

To reverse the broken glass, would you also need to somehow supply (or remove) heat to cause the bonds to re-form to convert it from a bunch of silicon shards into a smooth glass?

[willgateme]

What time to be alive having these videos from great minds for free. This is a rare moment in history, our world with Electricity providing the internet is very fragile, maybe in a few centuries all this is lost, cherish and embrace your time alive right now