Thermodynamically possible order formation excludes

evolution

Thomas Seiler

Stuttgart, Germany

The constituents of all matter

molecules

atoms

Physical and chemical transformations

1st law of thermodynamics: energy conservation

2nd law of thermodynamics: entropy law

The 2nd law of thermodynamics

A system of particles moves randomly (Brownian motion)

Permanent change of momentum and direction

Result: 1) disordered distribution of momentum 2) disordered distribution in space

The 2nd law of thermodynamics

ordered distribution of momentum/temperature

=> low probability

disordered distribution of momentum/temperature

=> high probability

time

time

hotcold

lukewarm

The 2nd law of thermodynamics

ordered distribution in space

=> low probability

disordered distribution in space

=> higher probability

time

time

The 2nd law of thermodynamics

The entropy S - a measure for probability P:

S = k·ln P

The 2nd law for any isolated system of matter:

“A system will never change by itself into a significantly less probable state, i.e. its entropy will never decrease by more than a few k.“

Basis of nature and every-day experience.

Excludes any physical process.

The 2nd law of thermodynamics

evolution: mutation and selection

The 2nd law of thermodynamics

“No exception to the second law of thermodynamics has ever been found - not even a tiny one. Like conservation of energy (the “first law“), the existence of a law so precise and so independent of models must have a logical foundation that is independent of the fact that matter is composed of interacting particles.“

E. H. LIEB, J. YNGVASON, “Physics Today“, 53 (2000)

Entropy law: From order to disorder

time

time

time

time

time

time

Y

lo

w e

ntro

py

time

time

time

time

h

igh

entr

opy

The exceptions of “open systems“

energy exchange => entropy decrease is possible only under certain conditions.

+ energy

25 °C

4 °C

20 °C

20 °C

high entropy space low entropy space

+ machine

The exceptions of “open systems“

hig

h en

trop

y

CO2

carbon dioxide

O2

oxygen

(CH2O)

x

hydrocarbons

water

light energy

sun

Living beings are open systems

low

ent

ropy

Condition: Order information is already in photosynthesis machine.

The exceptions of “open systems“ Cooling induces ordered crystals

water molecules

snow flakes

Condition: Order information is already in H2O symmetry.

The exceptions of “open systems“

Condition: Order information is already in feed-back arrangement.

Dissipative structures

e.g. Bénard cells:

(further examples:vortex in Tornado, standingwave in a flute, oscillating chemical reactions)

explanation:stable convection circleis a resonance in a feed-back-loop.

Why stable? higher velocity => T-difference decreases.=> lower velocity => T-difference increases.=> higher velocity

etc.

Biological order

Biological organs – a different category: specific, functional and aesthetical complexity which is new information

- not contained in an ordering machine

- not contained in chemical elements, i.e. not energetically favourable

- not contained in a feed-back loop arrangement

Summary● Evolutionary hypothesis: “Disordered molecules turn into specific complexity by purely physical processes.“

● Thermodynamics in isolated systems: Order turns into disorder, never vice versa.

● Open systems: Exeptional order formation is possible by energy exchange - only if structural information is pre-existing.

● Machine, chemical element, feed-back loop or other physical structure containing biological information does not exist.

● Therefore, physical processes, e.g. mutation and selection, can not produce – not even by cooling or heating - biological information.

Conclusion: Evolution is not an open systems exception, but is inhibited by the 2nd law of thermodynamics.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step x

No incomplete organs in nature

Unfittest: still existing

Fittest: still existing

Incomplete with in

termediate fit

ness:

not existin

g

"The fifth way is taken from things’ being directed. We see that there are things that have no knowledge, like physical bodies, but which act for the sake of an end. This is clear in that they always, or for the most part, act in the same way, and achieve what is best. This shows that they reach their end not by chance but in virtue of some tendency. But things which have no knowledge do not have a tendency to an end unless they are directed by something that does have knowledge and understanding. An example is an arrow directed by an archer. Therefore there is some being with understanding which directs all things to their end, and this, we say, is God." Summa Theologica I, Q. 2, A. 3