Question

The change in entropy of a system can be calculated because a) it depends only on the c) entropy always increases. initial and final states. d) none of the above. b) any process is reversible.

Short answer

Answer: The change in entropy of a system can be calculated because it depends only on the initial and final states, making it a state function.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Entropy

Entropy is a thermodynamic concept that measures the level of disorder in a system. In any process, the total entropy of the system and its surroundings can only increase or stay the same, as stated by the second law of thermodynamics.

Analyzing Option A

Option A states that the change in entropy of a system can be calculated because it depends only on the initial and final states. This statement is correct; the change in entropy (∆S) is a state function, meaning it depends only on the initial and final states of a system. It does not matter which path the system takes between its initial and final states.

Analyzing Option B

Option B states that the change in entropy of a system can be calculated because any process is reversible. This statement is incorrect. Although reversible processes have a maximum entropy change, not all processes are reversible. Some, like most real-world processes, are irreversible and have a greater increase in entropy than reversible processes.

Analyzing Option C

Option C states that the change in entropy of a system can be calculated because entropy always increases. While it is true that entropy tends to increase (or stay the same) for any process, this does not explain why we can calculate the change in entropy.

Analyzing Option D

Option D states that the change in entropy of a system can be calculated because of none of the above. Since we've already determined that option A is correct, option D is incorrect.

Choosing the Correct Answer

Based on the analysis of each option, the correct answer to the question is option A, stating that the change in entropy of a system can be calculated because it depends only on the initial and final states.

Key concepts

Second Law of Thermodynamics

Understanding the second law of thermodynamics is crucial for grasping the behavior of entropy in any system. It postulates that the total entropy, which is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system, can never decrease over time in an isolated system. It's this law that implies the natural tendency for systems to progress from order to disordered states.
Implications in Real-World Systems: The second law has profound consequences in our everyday life, from engines running to ice melting. It ensures that energy efficiency, such as in a heat engine, is always limited, and it also dictates the direction of heat flow, naturally from a hotter to a cooler body.
Cosmic Perspective: On a larger scale, it plays a pivotal role in the thermal death of the universe concept, where eventually the universe would reach a state of maximum entropy, with no available energy to do work.

State Function

The concept of a state function is vital in thermodynamics because it relates to the state of a system, independent of the path taken to reach that state. Entropy is an example of a state function. Specifically, this means that the difference in entropy between two states of a system only depends on those states and not on the process used to go from one to the other.
Importance of State Functions:

• They simplify the analysis of thermodynamic systems.
• Calculations are easier, as they do not require knowledge of the system's history.
• Many thermodynamic properties, like temperature, pressure, and volume, are state functions.

When considering the exercise, this is why the correct answer emphasizes the irrelevance of the path taken between initial and final states when calculating entropy changes.

Irreversible Process

In contrast to idealistic reversible processes, an irreversible process is one that cannot be reversed without leaving a change in the universe. These processes are common in the real world, often accompanied by friction, turbulence, and inelastic deformation which contribute to the overall increase in entropy.
Features of Irreversible Processes:

• They are non-equilibrium and cannot be reversed exactly.
• They produce entropy, contributing to the irreversibility.
• Examples include natural processes like mixing of substances and spontaneous chemical reactions.

In practical scenarios, understanding that most processes are irreversible helps anticipate the inevitable increase in entropy, which is notably absent in the idealized reversible processes.

Reversible Process

A reversible process in thermodynamics is a theoretical concept where a system changes in such a manner that the system and environment can be returned to their original states without leaving any trace on the universe. While no process is truly reversible, this concept is useful for calculating the maximum possible efficiency of thermodynamic systems, often serving as a benchmark.
Characteristics of Reversible Processes:

• They maintain thermodynamic equilibrium at all stages.
• Changes occur infinitesimally slowly to ensure reversibility.
• Reversible processes like isothermal and adiabatic expansions are often used in thermodynamic cycle analyses.

This idealized concept provides a way to understand the upper limit of engine efficiency, but it's also a reminder of the difference between theoretical and practical scenarios in thermodynamics.