|
I think a good handle on Equilibrium is also handy to have in order to grapple with the concept of entropy. Equilibrium could be argued to be reached when every process acting in a system, is balanced in a globally averaged sense (not at a detailed level).
Random influences, which we rarely attempt to keep track of in detail, are said to achieve a balance with the non-random influences, (the latter of which we seem to track and analyse more often .. cause its easier). This balance is detected when the influences we do track, are no longer time-varying over the study period.
Overall, I think the concept of Entropy, in isolation, is very much in our own minds. The combination however of Equilibrium (the zeroth law), and then energy transfer as work and as heat (the 1st Law), very much sets the context for an objective interpretation of entropy in a physical sense.
My 2 cents worth, anyway. Comments welcome.
Cheers
|