Some Mathematical Analogies in Classical Physics, Entropy and Information

Dragan Poljak
FESB, University of Split
Split, Croatia

The lecture starts with some analogies in mathematical models pertaining to various areas of classical physics (mechanics, heat transfer, hydromechanics and electromagnetics). The corresponding governing equations are reviewed. A question on a possible deeper meaning in mathematical analogies appearing in physical laws is addressed. Furthermore, a connection between thermodynamics (Maxwell’s demon) and information theory is discussed. The necessity of erasing of information due to the demon capacity to store a finite amount of data is emphasized. In the last part of the talk the basic elements of information theory are reviewed. Some concluding remarks pertaining to mathematical analogies in laws of classical physics, thermodynamics and information are given.