Why thermodynamics is a logical consequence of information theory

Abstract

Abstract An observation of the properties of bulk matter necessarily omits many details of the motion of the particles which comprise that matter. If a communication regarding the observation is to be consistent, it must conform to certain rules which follow from the theory of information. An analysis of the problem of deciding upon a consistent encoding for such observations leads, as a unique result, to the concepts and equations of classical thermodynamics. The information‐theory analysis of this problem also leads to a better understanding of the basis for the “laws” of thermodynamics.