Sample interview questions: Discuss the principles of thermodynamics in the context of cosmology.
Sample answer:
Principles of Thermodynamics in Cosmology
First Law of Thermodynamics:
- In an isolated system, the total energy is constant.
- In the context of cosmology, this implies that the total energy of the universe is conserved.
Second Law of Thermodynamics:
- Entropy (disorder) always increases in an isolated system.
- As the universe expands and cools, the entropy of the universe increases.
Third Law of Thermodynamics:
- The entropy of a perfect crystal is zero at absolute zero.
- This law is relevant to the early universe, which was highly ordered and close to absolute zero.
Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB):
- The CMB is the leftover radiation from the early universe.
- The temperature anisotropies in the CMB provide clues about the distribution of matter and energy at the time of the Big Bang.
Thermodynamics of Black Holes:
- Black holes have an event horizon, beyond which nothing can escape, not even light.
- The thermodynamics of black holes is governed by the Hawking radiat… Read full answer