P2 3 The Mass-Entropy Relation

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the local entropy change of The Eucharist, or Holy Communion,
comparing the impacts from the use of leavened and unleavened bread and comparing this to
the number of church-goers. We find that the impact of unleavened bread on the congregation
is greater than the impact of leavened bread, increasing the entropy of the rite significantly with
more attendees. We find the total entropy change for Orthodox Christians to be 2.4 × 10⁹ J/K
per communion, and for Catholics, the entropy change is 1.3 × 10¹⁰ J/K per communion. And the
Eucharist is consistent with the laws of thermodynamics.