Second Law of Thermodynamics - Non-equilibrium States

Non-equilibrium States

Statistically it is possible for a system to achieve moments of non-equilibrium. In such statistically unlikely events where hot particles "steal" the energy of cold particles enough that the cold side gets colder and the hot side gets hotter, for an instant. Such events have been observed at a small enough scale where the likelihood of such a thing happening is significant. The physics involved in such an event is described by the fluctuation theorem.

Read more about this topic:  Second Law Of Thermodynamics

Famous quotes containing the word states:

    Colonel “Bat” Guano: Okay, I’m going to get your money for you. But if you don’t get the President of the United States on that phone, you know what’s going to happen to you?
    Group Captain Lionel Mandrake: What?
    Colonel “Bat” Guano: You’re going to have to answer to the Coca-Cola company.
    Stanley Kubrick (b. 1928)