Energy Confinement Theory: Thermodynamic Mechanism of Chiral Selection and a New Hypothesis for the Origin of Life
Abstract
The long-standing puzzles of chiral selection and the origin of life stem from the failure of classical chemical thermodynamics to achieve intrinsic unification with mass–energy conservation. Based on the law of energy conservation, Einstein’s mass–energy equation, and an extension of Newton’s first law to chemistry, this study proposes the Energy Confinement Theory, which redefines a chemical reaction as a process in which, driven by external energy, molecules maximize energy confinement through conformational optimization. The core equation Einput = ΔrUmθ,* + W +Q reduces mass defect to changes in “confinement energy,” achieving compatibility between thermodynamics and mass–energy conservation. Through combustion enthalpy measurements on enantiomers, polymers, and peptide bond formation, combined with multi-dimensional spectroscopic characterizations, the theory experimentally validates that: (i) molecular configuration determines energy confinement efficiency; (ii) the essence of a chemical reaction is conformational optimization and energy confinement driven by external energy; (iii) thermodynamic and kinetic advantages are unified under the criterion of maximizing energy confinement efficiency, ΔΔᵣGₘθ< 0. The theory successfully explains the thermodynamic essence of Dsugar enrichment, nearracemic distribution of D/Lamino acids, and the Lamino acid preference in meteoritic peptides, revealing the ultimate reason why living systems select Lamino acids and Dsugars – to maximize the confinement of solar energy. Accordingly, the Energy Confinement Hypothesis for the origin of life is proposed: the origin and evolution of life are the inevitable consequence of matter, driven by a continuous flow of energy, progressively optimizing molecular configurations to enhance energy storage efficiency.
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