Hidden symmetries for thermodynamics and emergence of relativity

TL;DR

This paper explores how hidden symmetries in thermodynamics can explain the thermodynamic origin of the principle of relativity, supporting Verlinde's idea of gravity emerging from thermodynamics.

Contribution

It identifies a large group of hidden thermodynamic symmetries that encompass the Poincare group, elucidating the thermodynamic basis of relativity.

Findings

Discovery of hidden thermodynamic symmetries including the Poincare group.

Explanation of the thermodynamic origin of the principle of relativity.

Discussion of problems and implications of Verlinde's gravity proposal.

Abstract

Erik Verlinde recently proposed an idea about the thermodynamic origin of gravity. Though this is a beautiful idea which may resolve many long standing problems in the theories of gravity, it also raises many other problems. In this article I will comment on some of the problems of Verlinde's proposal with special emphasis on the thermodynamical origin of the principle of relativity. It is found that there is a large group of hidden symmetries of thermodynamics which contains the Poincare group of the spacetime for which space is emergent. This explains the thermodynamic origin of the principle of relativity.