[Physics] Can we revert back a broken egg into the original one? Given that we are allowed to increase entropy in some other part of the system

arrow-of-timeentropystatistical mechanicsthermodynamicstime

Background (and much of the argument for the question)

The second law of thermodynamics says(as my book states it):

If a process occurs in a closed system, the entropy of the system increases for irreversible processes and remains constant for a reversible process. It never decreases.

Now while looking at some educational videos on YouTube I found that entropy is sometimes related to the amount of disorder in the system. They say this as follows (not the exact statement) :

There are many more disordered states than ordered states and therefore it is much more likely for the entropy to increase or remain the same. Also it is not necessary that entropy cannot decrease, rather entropy in some part of the system do can decrease but the only but only necessity is that increase in entropy in some other part of the system should compensate for it so that there is a net increase in the entropy of the whole system.

An example of this is that of the formation of crystals where the crystals do become ordered (and hence decrease the entropy) but the heat released in due process compensate for this and increases the total entropy of the system by the following formula:

$$\Delta S = \int_i^f \frac {dQ}{T}$$

Question

It is usually introduced to the concept of entropy by giving the example of breaking of egg. Now the following bothers me:

  • Is it possible to revert back the broken egg into the original state by whatsoever process that can do it? Given that the net entropy of such a system increases.

  • If possible, then what is that process that can revert back a broken egg into it's original state?

Note that example of video of the egg being rewinded is not in the list of possible answers.

Best Answer

Theoretically, it is possible, at least if by 'original state' you mean 'macroscopically identical' - if you want the microscopic state to be identical, you encounter a problem, that it is impossible to precisely measure the microscopic state, especially after it was altered, so the 'original state' is unknown.

However, practically, we don't have the technological capabilities to merge all the pieces of the eggshell or to fix the organic membranes and separate the mixed contents of the egg.