The concept of entropy, and the second law of thermodynamics have often been use

Question

The concept of entropy, and the second law of thermodynamics have often been used (usually misused in reality) to "explain" all kinds of things. It is frequently up to chemists to set the record straight in such cases.
One argument which has been used to "disprove" evolution goes something like this:
           "Living beings are more complex.    than nonliving systems. Furthermore, humans are more biologically complex than lower life forms such as monkeys. Entropy is a measure of randomness, the opposite of complexity. The evolution of life from nonlife, or of a more complex organism from less complex ones must then increase the organizational complexity, and thus decrease entropy."

The second law of thermodynamics tells us that in a spontaneous process entropy must increase and can never decrease. Therefore spontaneous evolution, either as the ultimate source of life, or in the development of more complex living systems, is impossible.

From a thermodynamic perspective, this statement is fatally flawed.

A. Carefully explain why it is flawed.
B. What would a correctly applied entropy argument say about evolution?

Explanation / Answer

The Second Law of Thermodynamics discusses the concept of entropy. The entropy is a measure of degree of disorder in a system. Entropy deals with available energy. Second law of thermodynamics states that there is an increase in entropy in a closed system., i.e no free energy can enter the system.

Life on earth is not a thermodynamically closed system- sine it received free energy from the outside in the form of sunlight and solar energy. bThis free energy is used to do work there by leading to decrease in entopry leading to movement from disorder to higher state of organization.

Even as life on earth reduces entropy by utilizing free energy, the free energy of the sun decrease and there by increases its entropy. The net result is an increase in entropy. Hence the way we define the system needs to be defined before applying the entropy principle.

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