Aspects of the Clausius-Shannon Identity: Emphasis on the components of transitive information in linear,branched and composite physical systems

In this paper I consider how information is required to specify various systems. It is shown that the transitive information of any physical system, is distributed among three distinct components. One of these, the selective component, is required to specify the elemental parts of the system. Another, the connective component, is required to specify the macrostructure of the system; that is the way the parts are put together. And a third, the conformative component, is required to specify the intrinsic complexion or microstructure of the system. An interesting method for analyzing branched systems which takes account of connective ambiguity is described in some detail. The relationship between information and entropy, known as the Clausius-Shannon Identity, is then discussed with reference to selected thermodynamic models: and that aspect of information which is often overlooked, namely the distinction, between transitive and intransitive information is highlighted. The applications (or perhaps more correctly, the limitations of applying this treatment) to problems of biological interest are also indicated.