[Locke (OP)]

Entropy, the measure of disorder in the universe is a somewhat confusing subject...
For example, if a star forms, isn't that a direct violation of the second law of thermodynamics, as it is a completely natural process.
The only thing I can see doing work is gravitational force, but, then again, that's included in the system, I should think.

[lightarrow]

Entropy, the measure of disorder in the universe is a somewhat confusing subject...
For example, if a star forms, isn't that a direct violation of the second law of thermodynamics

Why? Are you sure the star's entropy is lower than the initial gas' entropy?

[Locke (OP)]

How can it not be? The stars are the only semblance of order we have in the universe... That is, if you count the situation 'before' the big bang as ordered.

[lightarrow]

How can it not be? The stars are the only semblance of order we have in the universe... That is, if you count the situation 'before' the big bang as ordered.

You have a cloud of hydrogen gas spreaded out many millions of km, then, after it has collapsed gravitationally, you have a star. Which has less entropy, the star or the cloud of gas? If you say the star, remember that the stars' temperature is much higher then the cloud's temperature.

[Locke (OP)]

How can it not be? The stars are the only semblance of order we have in the universe... That is, if you count the situation 'before' the big bang as ordered.

You have a cloud of hydrogen gas spreaded out many millions of km, then, after it has collapsed gravitationally, you have a star. Which has less entropy, the star or the cloud of gas? If you say the star, remember that the stars' temperature is much higher then the cloud's temperature.

Here's a thought: objects that transition from solid to liquid and from liquid to gas gain entropy, so the nebula/cloud's phase shift from gas to plasma, and the internal energy change that came with it, explains the gain or entropy, right?

[lightarrow]

Yes, however the simple fact that a body's temperature has increased, means that the entropy has increased, if the internal energy has increased as well: if you put a block of iron on the flame, its temperature and its entropy increases.
In the case of the star the situation is a bit more complicated because you have to consider gravitational potential energy (in the non relativistic description) so, after the cloud's collapse, some gravitational potential energy has converted into kinetic energy of the star's particles.

However, it's not very clear to me if this means that internal energy has increased or hasn't varied at all, because I don't know if to consider potential gravitational energy as part of the system's internal energy (intended in thermodynamical sense) or not; if then one consider that, in GR, gravitational potential energy doesn't exist at all, it's even more complicated.

So, is the star's entropy lower than that of the hydrogen cloud from which it formed? Or it's greater? Or it didn't vary at all?