TOPIC 9.6 Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Front

What does the second law of thermodynamics state?

Back

The total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease and is constant only when all processes the system undergoes are reversible.

Front

How can entropy be qualitatively described?

Back

Entropy can be described as the tendency of energy to spread or the unavailability of some of the system’s energy to do work.

Front

What happens to localized energy according to entropy?

Back

Localized energy will tend to disperse and spread out.

Front

Is entropy a state function?

Back

Yes, entropy is a state function and depends only on the current state or configuration of a system, not on how the system reached that state.

Front

When does maximum entropy occur?

Back

Maximum entropy occurs when a system is in thermodynamic equilibrium.

Front

What determines the change in a system’s entropy?

Back

The change in a system’s entropy is determined by the system’s interactions with its surroundings.

Front

What is the behavior of isolated systems in terms of entropy?

Back

Isolated systems spontaneously move toward thermodynamic equilibrium, and their entropy never decreases.

Front

Can the entropy of a closed system decrease?

Back

Yes, the entropy of a closed system can decrease because energy can be transferred into or out of the system.