@koolman, you can choose any specific configuration you like to be the "ordered" configuration however over time the system will move away from this configuration and thus become "disordered"
@koolman A fast particle has more "phase space" of possible velocity vectors that it can live in than a slow particle. More indistinguishable possibilities == more entropy
@koolman If your system can evolve either to a lower-entropy state or to a higher-entropy state, the higher-entropy state is overwhelmingly more likely
When you buy a new pack of playing cards and open it, usually the cards are sorted: first spades, ace, two, three, ... king, then each of the other suits.
@koolman In reversible processes, the reaction can proceed in either direction. I have an example, but to tell you about it I have to correct an error in the image you posted earlier
Your image says that S(gas) >> S(liquid) > S(solid), which is a good way to think about things, but an oversimplification.
That suggests there's some intrinsic entropy to each of those phases that you can measure. But actually, the entropy associated with each phase depends on its temperature.
Ok, @koolman here goes: Assume that ice has a lower entropy (more ordered) state than water. Given that entropy never decreases, how is it possible that water can freeze to ice?
@koolman the solution is, is that when water turns to ice, it looses heat to the outside world. Thus the outside world is gaining entropy while the water is losing it
Mathematically a vector field, $\vec{F}$, is conservative if:
$$\oint_{\gamma} (\vec{F}.d\vec{l})=0$$
Physically, the integral is the same as the work done by a force $\vec{F}$ on a body in a closed path. I intend to demonstrate mathematically that a conservative force assumes a scalar potentia...
I read in my chemistry book that the entropy change of a system's surroundings is path dependent while the entropy of the system is state dependent. I don't understand what it means by this. How can entropy be dependent on two different things?
Mathematically a vector field, $\vec{F}$, is conservative if:
$$\oint_{\gamma} (\vec{F}.d\vec{l})=0$$
Physically, the integral is the same as the work done by a force $\vec{F}$ on a body in a closed path. I intend to demonstrate mathematically that a conservative force assumes a scalar potentia...
I read in my chemistry book that the entropy change of a system's surroundings is path dependent while the entropy of the system is state dependent. I don't understand what it means by this. How can entropy be dependent on two different things?
