In thermodynamics, entropy production is a rather ambiguous term referring generally to the internal entropy differential diS of a system, as contrasted to the entropy crossing the exterior of system’s boundary deS. [1] Others may use the term 'entropy generation' to refer to the rate of increase of internal entropy diS per unit time dt, expressed by the equation: [2]
In the context of attempting to explain the great order exemplified by human life, a common catch phrase to say that life represents a local entropy decrease at the expense of greater entropy production elsewhere in the surroundings or universe.
Difficulty on term
The general difficult with the use of this term is that, by definition, change in the entropy of a body is quantified numerically by the logic that increase in the entropy of a body is positive (+) and decrease in entropy of a body is negative (-). The idea of 'production' is not necessarily corroborative with this.
See also
● Principle of maximum entropy production
● Societal entropy production
References
1. Kondepudi, Dilip. (2008). Introduction to Modern Thermodynamics (entropy production, pg. 51). Wiley.
2. Zotin, Aleksandr I. (1990). Thermodynamics Bases of Biological Processes: Physiological Reactions and Adaptations (pg. 43). Walter de Gruyter.
Further reading
● Kleidon, Axel and Lorenz, Ralph D. (2004). Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and the Production of Entropy: Life, Earth, and Beyond, (pg. 42-43). Springer. ● Li, Jiangnan. (2009). “On the Extreme of Internal Entropy Production” (abstract), J. Phys. A: Math. Theor. 42. 15pgs.
