This article is cited in 34 papers

PHYSICS OF OUR DAYS

Self-organization and information for planets and ecosystems

M. N. Izakov

Space Research Institute

Abstract: Entropy is fundamental to describing open systems. It makes possible the distinction between non-equilibrium and equilibrium processes. The influx of negentropy is a measure of all physical and chemical processes occurring in a system. The entropy balance equation is a useful tool for the comprehensive description of an open system, as its application to planets and ecosystems illustrates. The entropy-information relationship established by the theory of information is applicable to self-organising systems provided their special features, particularly the presence or absence of memory, are taken into account.

PACS: 05.70.Ln, 87.10.+e, 96.30.-t, 89.60.+x

Received: September 1, 1997

DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.0167.199710e.1087

 English version: Physics–Uspekhi, 1997, 40:10, 1035–1042

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