The fact that every event shares the same EGP reminds us that the specific EGP is
the driver of every event in the given Poincare range. That is,
Entropy growth potential (EGP) is the driver of every event in a given Poincare range; in
the mechanical theory of heat (the MTH, i.e., standard thermodynamics), the “consumption” of heat and the “consumption” of energy are treated as proxies of EGP, which is the
real driver The correct identification of the real driver leads to (in Sects. 8.6 and 8.7), in
departure from the MTH, how we classify “energy conversion” processes.
By extension, general EGPs are drivers of all events in nature, which will be called
the principle of entropy growth potential.
The erstwhile spontaneous entropy growth, D G S
ð
Þ universe , serves as the drive for
reversible work, D P S
ð
Þ universe in Eqs. (123) and (130). The very same quantity,
initially indicating dissipation, represents instead constructive drive potential (entropy growth potential) giving rise to the maximum reversible work if a perfect
control mechanism is provided, to valuable work if a real-world heat engine
operational mechanism is provide, or to moderate amounts of kinetic and potential
mechanical energy in mechanism-free natural convective fluid bodies. In sum, the
full expression of the second law entails a conceptual differentiation. By adding to
universal entropy growth principle (the first part of the law) the principle of entropy
growth potential (the second part of the law that is differentiated from the first part),
we have the complete second law of thermodynamics.
The second law can now fulfill its essential function (see the next section and
Fig. 8.7). This new second part of the second law serves as the new cornerstone in a
new theory of heat as outlined below.
8.6 The Predicative Entropic Theory of Heat
A case can be made that Carnot’s theory (and consequently thermodynamics) is a
predicative theory of heat. An ontological theory of heat attempts to answer, in the
most general possible terms, the question, “What is heat?” A predicative theory of
heat, instead, attempts to answer the question, “What is it to say something about
heat?” An important question for a predicative theory is its category [30]. A brief
introduction to category is given here.
8.6.1 Peirce’s Reduction Thesis and Carnot’s Theory
as a Triadic Relational Theory of Heat
Charles Sanders Peirce presented a paper entitled, “On a new list of categories,” to
the American Academy of Arts and Sciences [30] in which he outlined a theory of
212
8 The Second Law: The Entropy Growth Potential Principle …
the driver of every event in the given Poincare range. That is,
Entropy growth potential (EGP) is the driver of every event in a given Poincare range; in
the mechanical theory of heat (the MTH, i.e., standard thermodynamics), the “consumption” of heat and the “consumption” of energy are treated as proxies of EGP, which is the
real driver The correct identification of the real driver leads to (in Sects. 8.6 and 8.7), in
departure from the MTH, how we classify “energy conversion” processes.
By extension, general EGPs are drivers of all events in nature, which will be called
the principle of entropy growth potential.
The erstwhile spontaneous entropy growth, D G S
ð
Þ universe , serves as the drive for
reversible work, D P S
ð
Þ universe in Eqs. (123) and (130). The very same quantity,
initially indicating dissipation, represents instead constructive drive potential (entropy growth potential) giving rise to the maximum reversible work if a perfect
control mechanism is provided, to valuable work if a real-world heat engine
operational mechanism is provide, or to moderate amounts of kinetic and potential
mechanical energy in mechanism-free natural convective fluid bodies. In sum, the
full expression of the second law entails a conceptual differentiation. By adding to
universal entropy growth principle (the first part of the law) the principle of entropy
growth potential (the second part of the law that is differentiated from the first part),
we have the complete second law of thermodynamics.
The second law can now fulfill its essential function (see the next section and
Fig. 8.7). This new second part of the second law serves as the new cornerstone in a
new theory of heat as outlined below.
8.6 The Predicative Entropic Theory of Heat
A case can be made that Carnot’s theory (and consequently thermodynamics) is a
predicative theory of heat. An ontological theory of heat attempts to answer, in the
most general possible terms, the question, “What is heat?” A predicative theory of
heat, instead, attempts to answer the question, “What is it to say something about
heat?” An important question for a predicative theory is its category [30]. A brief
introduction to category is given here.
8.6.1 Peirce’s Reduction Thesis and Carnot’s Theory
as a Triadic Relational Theory of Heat
Charles Sanders Peirce presented a paper entitled, “On a new list of categories,” to
the American Academy of Arts and Sciences [30] in which he outlined a theory of
212
8 The Second Law: The Entropy Growth Potential Principle …