heat death A speculative theory of the final state of the universe. If the universe is an isolated system (see thermodynamics) then its entropy must tend to a maximum, at which all energy is degraded to uniform heat, everything is wholly disordered and no change is possible. In the oscillating-universe model it is supposed that the entropy inequality is reversed at the universe's greatest extent, so that during contraction entropy tends to a minimum. Related categories COSMOLOGY HEAT AND THERMODYNAMICS Also on this site: Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living Encyclopedia of History Transport Concepts & Designs (partner site) |