THE MYSTERY OF THE CARNOT THEOREM

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#752

From: Pentcho Valev
Date: Wed, 24 Feb 2010 09:43

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What is the probability that Mr. X looks like Mr. Y? Clearly the prior
(Mr. X and Mr. Y are identified but there is no additional information
concerning them) probability is virtually zero. This means that for
the argument:

Premise: Mr. X and Mr. Y are identical twins.
Conclusion: Mr. X looks like Mr. Y.

the combination "false premise, true conclusion" is virtually
impossible.

Consider an oversimplified version of the Carnot theorem:

Premise: Heat is an indestructible substance (cannot be converted into
work in the heat engine).
Conclusion (prototype of the second law of thermodynamics): The heat
engine X working between the temperatures T1 and T2 is just as
efficient as the heat engine Y working between the same temperatures.

The premise turned out to be false in the end. Is the prior
probability of the conclusion virtually zero? Is the combination
"false premise, true conclusion" virtually impossible?

Pentcho Valev
pvalev@yahoo.com

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From: Pentcho Valev <pvalev@yahoo.com>
Newsgroups: sci.physics.relativity,sci.physics,fr.sci.physique,fr.sci.astrophysique
Subject: THE MYSTERY OF THE CARNOT THEOREM
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