From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!npois!houxi!ihps3!ihuxf!atlas1
Newsgroups: net.physics
Title: Re: Physical Entropy vers. Informational Entropy
Article-I.D.: ihuxf.122
Posted: Tue Oct 12 08:57:48 1982
Received: Sun Oct 17 03:47:46 1982
References: yale-com.27

re: "does storing information in a chip reduce its entropy?"

The Second Law of Thermodynamics ("In all physical processes of
a system, the entropy of the system must increase, or remain the same")
only applies to CLOSED systems. (caveat: I do not believe that the
ramifications of relativity have been fully thrashed out - it may be
that the universe cannot be considered a closed system in this sense).

Thus, asking about the entropy of "a chip" is not subject to the limit
imposed by the Second Law, because the system considered is not closed;
something else must store the data. This action MUST require the expenditure
of energy, the release of heat, etc. This release will increase the entropy
of this data-storage agent, and the closed system (chip + agent) will
satisfy the Second Law (assuming the agent is self-contained, including
power, etc.).

Most confusions and paradoxes concerning entropy stem from ignoring
some part of a closed system, and only considering the obvious (visible)
parts.

		Tom Roberts
		ihuxf!atlas1