Question

Describe a few of your favorite, and least favorite, irreversible processes. In each case, explain how you can tell that the entropy of the universe increases.

Short answer

The entropy of the universe increases an example of irreversible processes are

Allowing a hot cup of tea to cool on its own and an egg that has fallen on the floor and cracked open, spilling its contents and in general, anything that cannot occur spontaneously in a time-reversed form is irreversible. If you leave a cup of tea alone, it will never heat up. A broken egg, likewise, will never rejoin itself.

Step-by-step solution

Step: 1 Definition of irreversible process in entropy:

The overall energy of the system and its environment grows when an irreversible event occurs. To establish whether or not a hypothetical process is reversible, the second law of thermodynamics can be applied. When there's no dissipation, a process appears to be reversible.The entropy of the cosmos remains unaltered in a reversible process, whereas the entropy of the universe grows in an irreversible process. It also rises when a quantifiable non-spontaneous process occurs. Because energy continually goes downward, entropy increases.

Step: 2 Example of irreversible process:

The entropy of the universe increases an example of irreversible processes are:
$\left(1\right)$Allowing a hot cup of tea to cool on its own.

$\left(2\right)$An egg that has fallen on the floor and cracked open, spilling its contents.

$\left(3\right)$In general, anything that cannot occur spontaneously in a time-reversed form is irreversible. If you leave a cup of tea alone, it will never heat up. A broken egg, likewise, will never rejoin itself.