Science Forums 2

[CraigD]

Originally Posted by Mike C

In what way does the SSU violate the 2nd Law?

A version of a steady state universe model in which the universe exists forever in nearly the same form and is also closed, contradicts the second law of thermodynamics requirement that the total entropy of an isolate system must increase. In such a system, available energy sources must eventually be exhausted, a state commonly called the heat death of the universe.

For this reason, modern steady state theories, such as Hoyle, Gold, Bondi and others 1948 model, require both a constantly expanding universe, and a process of “continuous creation” of matter, primarily hydrogen. Although this model enjoyed moderate popularity in the 1950s and 60s, it has a dearth of supporting scientific data and few scientifically competent supporters now. However, to this day, the phrase “steady state universe” is usually assumed to refer to this model.

Originally Posted by Mike C

The SSU is a closed system of both matter and energy.

New photons are created to replace the 'expanded' photons that eventually lose their energy as they leave the universe in a spent state.

If photons, or any measurable thing, are both escaping and being added to a system, it is not a closed system, so these two claims contradict one another.

As noted above, the best accepted steady state theories require that the universe not be a closed system. Some older previous “never-ending universe” theories were based on the assumption that the Sun and other stars (which, until fairly recent historic times, were believed to be a fundamentally different sort of thing than the Sun) would never cease shining.