I faced this question in the book entitled The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking.
Studying the appearance of the universe raises questions like: why has the world not come to thermal equilibrium since its creation? Is it possible to have it one day?
I am curious to know your answers!
Radioactive decay of uranium provides a source of heat for the earth. Consider U 238 has a half-life of 4.5 billion years and there are an estimated 10^17 kg in the earth's crust. That's ~10^38 atoms. It would take nearly 125 half-life periods to fully decay.
So, we are talking at least 40 times the age of the universe (as we believe it to be).
Then consider the total amount of fissile material in the universe.
This question is similar to the "The heat death of the universe, also known as the Big Chill or Big Freeze ."
There is such a branch of science as chemical kinetics. To reach the equilibrium might proceed too slow because of very high activation energy.
Your question implies the earth is a closed system. It isn't. Hence, it cannot achieve its own equilibrium.
I agree with answers of dr. John Francis Miller and dr. Yurii V Geletii ...
Dear Dr. Yurii V Geletii
It's my honor to get answer from you. Thank you so much.
So I will study about big freeze.
Dear Dr. John Francis Miller
So many thanks for your nice answer.
But, what about the whole universe?!
Radioactive decay of uranium provides a source of heat for the earth. Consider U 238 has a half-life of 4.5 billion years and there are an estimated 10^17 kg in the earth's crust. That's ~10^38 atoms. It would take nearly 125 half-life periods to fully decay.
So, we are talking at least 40 times the age of the universe (as we believe it to be).
Then consider the total amount of fissile material in the universe.
The heat death of the universe is inevitable according to the second law of thermodynamics. Since every process takes place will increase the chaos of the universe (even if it seeks its organization!!!). This means that entropy is always increasing. In other words, the exergy destruction is continuous as long as there is any kind of action happening on earth until eventually, we reach zero free energy state (heat death). So the only way to slow down this process is to do nothing about it or nothing at all.
Another way that life in the universe will end is cold death where the continuous expansion of the universes causes dilution of available energy and thus decrease the temperature.
Also, another fetal end is also hypothesized is called a big crunch.
It seems we have plenty of bad endings.
Dear Dr. John Francis Miller
Your answer is reasonable and wisely. I am really thankful of your consideration.
Sorry if I take your time. Thank you so much.
Dear Dr. Hamed Hosseini
Thanks for your nice answer; It was convincing.
Dear Dr. Mohamed Abu-bakr
Also your different answer is reasonable. So many thanks for your consideration.
Dear Fatemehzahra Pishgar You don't need to thank each contributor, just recommend the answers
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