SMP 2/16/13 | Entropy: Quantifying What We Don’t Know | Speaker: Cindy Keeler

In this talk we will explore the physical concept of entropy, touching on its broad use throughout physics and beyond, and finally focusing on its use in String theory. Entropy, colloquially thought of as a measure of disorder, has been a powerful tool for physicists for a century and a half. Today a broad range of disciplines use entropy in their work: information theorists, linguists and stock market analysts all use the concept. In physics, its use is universal, by every discipline from cosmology to biophysics to materials physics. In String theory, entropy gives us a quantitative tool to compare theories to each other, and to physical systems ranging from black holes to fluid flows.

Detailed Information
All talks are free and refreshments will be served. Visitor parking for the seminars (Central Campus) is across the street from the Dennison Building in the U-M Church Street structure. There is a $2.00 parking charge implemented by U-M Parking Services.

Contact Information
For more information regarding the Saturday Morning Physics series, see the Physics Department website, or call 734.764.4437