# Is there a relation between (non-) existence of magnetic monopoles and thermodynamics?

This question follows on previous work on connections between (other) areas of physics and thermodynamics as in here, here and even here.

P. Dirac (an electrical engineer initially) was one of the first to pose the possible existence of magnetic monopoles (original paper)(for example as solenoids). This would allow more symmetric forms of certain equations (physicist fetish?). Anyway, this (a-)symmetry is also the starting point for possible connections to thermodynamical concepts.

Is there any relation to the (non-) existence of magnetic monopoles and 2nd law?

Would the possible existence of magnetic monopoles violate the 2nd law, or does the 2nd law predict magnetic monopoles, or it is just irrelevant (sth many physicists would not assume lightly)?

Relevant physics areas include the intersection of materials magnetization and thermodynamics.

Relevant articles include this one on spin ice and this one on Brownian motion

NOTE: have not actually read the articles as i do not have access, however mentioned as part of existing literature on the question's subject.

Relevant papers and outlines: here, here, here and an arxiv paper by P. Davies on this issue (circa 2007)

UPDATE: An "unorthodox" critical view on mainstream mathematical physics (specifically Yang-Mills theory)

• If I believed in something like Electric-Magnetic duality, that seems to be a fairly fundamental support for the idea of magnetic monopoles (which might make one feel that technical trickery is missing something essential :-?) -- not to mention, that is the only reason we have till today, for why charge need be quantized. – Siva Nov 8 '14 at 18:10
• @Siva, why is not current the dual to electric charge as it generates magnetic fields? Duality is here also. Irreversibility is here also – Nikos M. Nov 8 '14 at 18:46
• What current configuration will give a magnetic field with the same isotropic $\frac{1}{r^2}$ profile that a point electric charge has? – Siva Nov 8 '14 at 19:04
• @Siva, hmm, i guess we will have to see what symmetries and dualities are there and where and what not – Nikos M. Nov 8 '14 at 19:16