2 Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics in an Energy-Rich Universe

Abstract

Free energy,t he abilityt od ow ork, is the most universal currency known in the natural sciences. In an expanding, non-equilibrated Universe, it is free energy that drives order from disorder, from big bang to humankind, in good accord with the second lawo ft hermodynamics and leading to the production of entropy. On all scales, from galaxies and stars to planets and life, the rise of complexity overt he course of natural history can be uniformlyq uantified by analyzing the normalized flowofenergy through open, non-equilibrium, thermodynamic systems.