A broken plate, symbolising the concept of entropy. The second law of thermodynamics states that a closed system will always tend to a higher entropy

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A broken plate, symbolising the concept of entropy. The second law of thermodynamics states that a closed system will always tend to a higher entropy (less ordered state) unless provided with energy. Thus, over time, things break or decay. A broken plate will not spontaneously mend itself, as this decreases entropy. This concept has been used to explain our perception of time only going in one direction.

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Size: 4500px × 4500px
Photo credit: © Science Photo Library / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: allegorical, allegory, analogous, analogy, arrow, break, broken, concept, conceptualise, cut, cut-, dinner, direction, disorder, education, entropy, order, plate, principle, school, science, shatter, shattered, shot, smashed, state, studio, time, timess, white