3 ms·

The "compression" in front of a de-orbiting satellite does generate irreversible entropy, and the physicists are correct to say that air friction causes the hea

• pfdietz 6y ago
  Right. The argument that the heating is by compression is at best misleading, and at worst completely wrong. The dissipative process in the shock is more akin to friction.
  • rz2k 6y ago
    Hmm, that is what I was getting at in this thread. The other user claimed that physicists are making a mistake when they explain with friction rather than compression. Looking back, I think your first comment was meant for the other user.
    • pfdietz 6y ago
      Also, what heating described by Boyle's Law? That law is the ideal gas law at constant temperature.
      • rz2k 6y ago
        You're right, Charles's Law was the gas law about temperature and pressure.