Question

Entropy has been described as "time's arrow." Interpret this view of entropy

Short answer

Answer

Entropy has been described as "time’s arrow” because time goes in one direction just like $\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{univ}}$.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Introduction to the Concept

Entropyis a characteristic of a system that quantifies the unpredictability or degree of chaos. It's a state function,after all. With an increase in the universe's entropy, spontaneous change occurs.

$\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{univ}}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{sys}}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{surr}}$

The entropy change of the system and its surroundings equal to the entropy change of the cosmos.

Solution Explanation

The total entropy of both the environment and the system will never decrease, according to the second law of thermodynamics.

$\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{univ}}\mathbf{=}\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{sys}}\mathbf{+}\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{surr}}$

Entropy is a number that requires a definite direction for time,thus the name "time arrow."Because one moves ahead in time in one direction, the second thermodynamics law asserts that entropy increases for isolated systems (never decrease).

As a result, $\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{univ}}$will always improve in value for the process. Because time moves in one direction, $\mathbf{∆}{\mathbf{S}}_{\mathbf{univ}}$will also move in one direction (increase) and is referred to as time's arrow.