Some material systems are driven solely by the laws of entropy, and some are time-reversible, but scientists still have a difficult time distinguishing between the two. It’s important to note that time reversibility is not the same as the ability to reverse the effects of time on a material or surface.
When considering an old piece of rusty metal, the weathering and deterioration of the metal can easily be fixed (like reversing time) with some effort and the right tools. When it comes to materials like glass, however, elements of its composition gradually change over time in ways that don’t solely involve the impact of external corrosive forces.
