Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie

New theory as to why life exists

Options
  • 15-12-2014 1:24pm
    #1
    bogwalrus
    Registered Users Posts: 1,454 ✭✭✭


    Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has derived a mathematical formula that he believes explains this capacity. The formula, based on established physics, indicates that when a group of atoms is driven by an external source of energy (like the sun or chemical fuel) and surrounded by a heat bath (like the ocean or atmosphere), it will often gradually restructure itself in order to dissipate increasingly more energy. This could mean that under certain conditions, matter inexorably acquires the key physical attribute associated with life.



    “You start with a random clump of atoms, and if you shine light on it for long enough, it should not be so surprising that you get a plant,” England said.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/groundbreaking-idea-of-lifes-origin-2014-12?IR=T


Comments

  • Options
    #2
    Morbert
    Registered Users Posts: 3,457 ✭✭✭Morbert


    A good wikipedia introduction for anyone interested in this branch of thermodynamics.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximum_power_principle


  • Options
    #3
    jameswang
    Registered Users Posts: 2 ✭jameswang


    That's a interesting topic. The process of turning random elements to life is really amazing.


  • Options
    #4
    slade_x
    Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 1,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭slade_x


    On a somewhat related topic; brief TED lecture on intelligence:
    Is there an equation for intelligence? Yes. It’s F = T ∇ Sτ. In a fascinating and informative talk, physicist and computer scientist Alex Wissner-Gross explains what in the world that means. (Filmed at TEDxBeaconStreet.)
    http://www.ted.com/talks/alex_wissner_gross_a_new_equation_for_intelligence?language=en

    Not the most enthusiast public speaker though


  • Options
    #5
    Akrasia
    Registered Users Posts: 22,236 ✭✭✭✭Akrasia


    bogwalrus wrote: »
    Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has derived a mathematical formula that he believes explains this capacity. The formula, based on established physics, indicates that when a group of atoms is driven by an external source of energy (like the sun or chemical fuel) and surrounded by a heat bath (like the ocean or atmosphere), it will often gradually restructure itself in order to dissipate increasingly more energy. This could mean that under certain conditions, matter inexorably acquires the key physical attribute associated with life.



    “You start with a random clump of atoms, and if you shine light on it for long enough, it should not be so surprising that you get a plant,” England said.

    http://www.businessinsider.com/groundbreaking-idea-of-lifes-origin-2014-12?IR=T
    Soooo, you're saying it's magic?


  • Options
    #6
    Maximus Alexander
    Registered Users Posts: 13,080 ✭✭✭✭Maximus Alexander


    Akrasia wrote: »
    Soooo, you're saying it's magic?

    The magic of entropy.


  • Advertisement
Advertisement