Connections between thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and special astrophysical processes

This article discusses several diverse “zero-point” notions, ranging from early classical blackbody radiation analysis, to astrophysical and cosmological considerations now being contemplated. The now commonly accepted quantum mechanical meaning of “zero-point” is compared with the early historical thermodynamic meaning. Subtle points are then reviewed that were implicitly imposed in the early thermodynamic investigations of blackbody radiation. These assumptions prevented this analysis from applying to the situation when classical electromagnetic radiation does not vanish at temperature T = 0. These subtle points are easy to skip over, yet significantly change the full thermodynamic analysis. Connections are then made to some proposed mechanisms involved in various astrophysical processes. The possible connection with the observed increasing expansion of the universe is noted, and the increasing inclination of scientists to attribute this expansion to “vacuum energy.” However, since the universe is not in a state of thermodynamic equilibrium, then the commonly accepted notion of “vacuum energy” or “zero-point” energy may not really be accurate. Altering this perspective may be helpful in coming to terms with the full physical description.