This article basically explains how the second law of thermodynamics does not make sense when systems get sufficiently small. The second law of thermodynamics states that the transfer of energy or transformation of energy form one form to another increases the entropy (degree of disorder). A perfect example of the second law of thermodynamics: a hot frying pan cools down when it is taken off the kitchen stove. Its thermal energy ("heat") flows out to the cooler room air; the frying pan cannot heat up again without adding energy. Scientists prediction about how the second law of thermodynamics may not always be accurate occurred nearly a decade ago; their prediction stated that small assemblages of molecules inside larger systems may not always tolerate this law.
From the Australian National University, Genmiao M. Wang and his colleagues discovered the inconsistency of such law when they dragged a micron-sized bead through a container of water using optical tweezers. They found that, sometimes the water molecules interacted with the bead in a way that energy was transferred from the liquid to the bead. This occurred by using the random thermal motion of the water to do the work of moving the bead. According to these researchers, if such movement lasted less than two seconds, the bead would most likely be able to gain energy from the water as it was to add energy to the reservoir. These findings suggest that the function of machines may have basic limitations.
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