First law of thermodynamics for dynamical apparent horizons and the entropy of Friedmann universes

Abstract: Recently, we have generalized the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy formula for black holes embedded in expanding Friedmann universes. In this letter, we begin the study of this new formula to obtain the first law of thermodynamics for dynamical apparent horizons. In this regard we obtain a generalized expression for the internal energy $U$ together with a distinction between the dynamical temperature $T_D$ of apparent horizons and the related one due to thermodynamics formulas. Remarkable, when the expression for $U$ is applied to the apparent horizon of the universe, we found that this internal energy is a constant of motion. Our calculations thus show that the total energy of our spatially flat universe including the gravitational contribution, when calculated at the apparent horizon, is an universal constant that can be set to zero from simple dimensional considerations. This strongly support the holographic principle.