When I was working in the library the other day, I overheard a girl asking her mother a question about magnetism. In an effort to get the girl to look up the answer in a book, the woman gestured at the packed shelves, and asked, “What is all around you?” Without hesitation, the girl replied, “Matter.” Can’t argue with that!
Mom is missing the boat here. The law of entropy says that all actions on a SYSTEM have positive entropy. While the room will look more ordered, the system, which includes the rest of the house, the daughter, and even the trash can outside, will add up to a net positive entropy for the situation. So Mom should be encouraging the girl to increase entropy by cleaning her room!
Melki Premium Member about 6 years ago
When I was working in the library the other day, I overheard a girl asking her mother a question about magnetism. In an effort to get the girl to look up the answer in a book, the woman gestured at the packed shelves, and asked, “What is all around you?” Without hesitation, the girl replied, “Matter.” Can’t argue with that!
Ray Helvy Premium Member about 6 years ago
Mom is missing the boat here. The law of entropy says that all actions on a SYSTEM have positive entropy. While the room will look more ordered, the system, which includes the rest of the house, the daughter, and even the trash can outside, will add up to a net positive entropy for the situation. So Mom should be encouraging the girl to increase entropy by cleaning her room!