Entropy

Entropy

Vishal kumarUpdated on 02 Jul 2025, 06:29 PM IST

Entropy is a concept in thermodynamics that measures the disorder or randomness within a system. It's crucial to understand why certain processes happen spontaneously and others do not. For students preparing for board exams and competitive exams like JEE and NEET, mastering entropy is essential because it helps explain phenomena in chemistry, physics, and biology. This article simplifies the concept of entropy and includes a solved example to illustrate how it affects real-world systems, providing a practical understanding that can be applied in exams and beyond.

This Story also Contains

  1. What is Entropy?
  2. 2. Entropy for an ideal gas
  3. Solved Examples Based on Entropy
  4. Summary

What is Entropy?

Entropy is a measure of the disorder of the molecular motion of a system. i.e Greater is the disorder, greater is the entropy.

The change in entropy is given as

$d S=\frac{\text { Heat absorbed by system }}{\text { Absolute temperature }}$ or $d S=\frac{d Q}{T}$

The relation $d S=\frac{d Q}{T}$ is called the mathematical form of the Second Law of Thermodynamics

1. Entropy for solid and liquid

i. When heat is given to a substance to change its state at a constant temperature.

Then change in entropy is given as

$d S=\frac{d Q}{T}= \pm \frac{m L}{T}$

where the positive sign refers to heat absorption and the negative sign to heat evolution.

And $L=$ Latent Heat and T is in Kelvin.

ii. When heat is given to a substance to raise its temperature from $T_1$ to $T_2$

Then change in entropy is given as

$d S=\int \frac{d Q}{T}=\int_{T_1}^{T_2} m c \frac{d T}{T}=m c \log _e\left(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right)=2.303 * \operatorname{mc} \log _{10}\left(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right)$

where c = specific heat capacity

2. Entropy for an ideal gas

For n mole of an ideal gas, the equation is given as PV = nRT

I.Entropy change for ideal gas in terms of T & V

From the first law of thermodynamics, we know that $d Q=d W+d U$
and
$
\Delta S=\int \frac{d Q}{T}=\int \frac{n C_V d T+P d V}{T}
$
using $P V=n R T$
$
\begin{aligned}
& \Delta S=\int \frac{n C_V d T+\frac{n R T}{V} d V}{T}=n C_V \int_{T_1}^{T_2} \frac{d T}{T}+n R \int_{V_1}^{V_2} \frac{d V}{V} \\
& \Delta S=n C_V \ln \left(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right)+n R \ln \left(\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right)
\end{aligned}
$
II. Entropy change for an ideal gas in terms of $T$ \& $P$
$
\Delta S=n C_P \ln \left(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right)-n R \ln \left(\frac{P_2}{P_1}\right)
$

III. Entropy change for an ideal gas in terms of P \& V
$
\Delta S=n C_V \ln \left(\frac{P_2}{P_1}\right)+n C_P \ln \left(\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right)
$

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Solved Examples Based on Entropy

Example 1: Which of the following is incorrect regarding the first law of thermodynamics?

1) It introduces the concept of the internal energy

2) It introduces the concept of entropy

3) It is applicable to any cyclic process

4) It is a restatement of the principle of conservation of energy

Solution:

The first law of Thermodynamics

Heat imported to a body is in general used to increase internal energy and work done against external pressure.

wherein

$
d Q=d U+d W
$

Entropy
It is a measure of the disorder of molecular motion of a system.
wherein
Greater is disorder greater is entropy
$
d S=\frac{d Q}{T}
$

The concept of entropy is introduced in the second law of thermodynamics.

The first law dealt with internal energy, work, and heat energy.

It is a statement of the first law of thermodynamics.

Hence, the answer is the option (2).

Example 2: The temperature­- entropy diagram of a reversible engine cycle is given in the figure. Its efficiency is

1) $1 / 3$
2) $2 / 3$
3) $1 / 2$
4) $1 / 4$

Solution:

Entropy

It is a measure of disorder of molecular motion of a system.

wherein

Greater is disorder greater is entropy

dS= \frac{dQ}{T}

and

Efficiency of a cyclic process
$
\eta=\frac{\text { work done per cyclic }}{\text { gross heat supplied per cyclic }}
$
wherein
Gross heat supplied implies only part of heat absorbed.
The efficiency of cycle is:
$
\begin{aligned}
& \eta=\frac{\text { work done }}{\text { heat absorb }} \\
& =\frac{Q_1-Q_2}{Q_1} \\
& =\frac{\text { Area of cycle }}{\text { Area under AB curve }} \\
& \qquad \eta=\frac{\frac{1}{2} \times T_0 \times S_0}{T_0 S_0+\frac{1}{2} T_0 S_0}=\frac{1}{3} \\
& \text { }
\end{aligned}
$

Example 3: If $\Delta Q$ heat is given to a substance and changes its state at constant temperature T then a change in entropy ds will be
1) $\pm \frac{m L}{T}$
2) $\pm \frac{m C}{T}$
3) $\pm m L$
4) $\pm m C$

Solution:

Entropy for solid and liquid

$
\begin{aligned}
& \Delta S=\frac{m L}{T} \\
& L=\text { Latent Heat } \\
& \text { T in kelvin } \\
& \frac{d \theta}{d T}= \pm \frac{m L}{T}
\end{aligned}
$

When a substance changes its state at a constant temperature $d \theta= \pm m L$ where the (+ve) sign refers to heat absorption and the (-ve) sign to heat evolution

Hence, the answer is the option (1).

Example 4: When heat is given to a substance of mass $m$ and specific heat c its temperature raise from $27^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$ to $327^{\circ} \mathrm{C}$, then
1) $2.303 \log _{10}(2)$
2) $2.303 \log _{10}(1 / 2)$
3) $\log _{10}(3 / 2)$
4) $2.303 \log _{10}(3 / 2)$

Solution:

Entropy for solid and liquid

When heat is given to a substance to raise its temperature from $T_1$ to $T_2$
wherein
$
\begin{aligned}
& \Delta S=m s \ln \left(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right) \\
& \mathrm{s}=\text { specific heat capacity } \\
& \mathrm{ds}=2.303 \\
& \log \left[\frac{273+327}{273+27}\right]=2.303 \log _{10} 2=0.693
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the answer is the option 1,

Example 5: The change in the entropy of 1 mole of an ideal gas that went through an isothermal process from the initial position to the final state is equal to

${ }_{1)} R \ln \frac{V_2}{V_1}$
2) $R \ln \frac{V_1}{V_2}$
3) zero
4) $R \ln T$

Solution:

Entropy change for an ideal gas in terms of T & V

$
\Delta S=n c_p \ln \left(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right)+n R \ln \left(\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right)
$

For an ideal gas, we have
$
\Delta S=n c_p \ln \left(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right)+n R \ln \left(\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right)
$
for isothermal process
$
\begin{aligned}
& \log _e\left(\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right)=0 \\
& \Delta s=n R \log _e\left(\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right) \text { for one mole of gas } \\
& \text { So } \\
& \Delta s=R \log _e\left(\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right)
\end{aligned}
$

Hence, the answer is the option 1.

Summary

Entropy, or the shift in the energy state accompanied by heat, is connected to a number of daily actions. It aids in a shift in heat transport and is reflected by the first, second, and third laws of thermodynamics. The more unpredictability in the system, the higher the rate of entropy; conversely, the lower the randomness of the system's molecules, the lower the entropy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is the relationship between entropy and the spontaneity of nuclear decay?
A:
Nuclear decay processes are typically spontaneous because they lead to an increase in entropy. When a large, unstable nucleus decays into smaller, more stable products, the total entropy of the system increases. This entropy increase, combined with the release of energy, makes nuclear decay processes thermodynamically favorable.
Q: How does the concept of entropy apply to the efficiency of thermal insulation?
A:
Entropy is key to understanding thermal insulation efficiency. Effective insulation slows down the natural flow of heat from hot to cold, which would increase entropy. By reducing heat transfer, insulation maintains a lower entropy state for longer. However, no insulation is perfect; some heat always leaks through, gradually increasing entropy over time.
Q: How does the concept of entropy apply to the expansion of the universe?
A:
As the universe expands, its total entropy increases. This is partly due to the increasing volume, which allows for more possible arrangements of matter and energy (more microstates). Additionally, processes like star formation and black hole evolution contribute to the overall increase in cosmic entropy, aligning with the Second Law of Thermodynamics on a universal scale.
Q: How does the concept of entropy apply to ecosystems?
A:
In ecosystems, entropy is related to the flow of energy and matter. Ecosystems maintain low internal entropy by constantly importing low-entropy energy (like sunlight) and exporting high-entropy waste. The overall process increases the entropy of the larger system (Earth), aligning with the Second Law of Thermodynamics. This concept helps in understanding ecosystem stability and energy flow in food webs.
Q: What is the connection between entropy and the arrow of time in cosmology?
A:
In cosmology, the arrow of time is closely linked to the increase of entropy in the universe. The expansion of the universe creates more available volume, increasing the number of possible microstates and thus entropy. This cosmological arrow of time aligns with the thermodynamic arrow, providing a consistent direction for time's flow from the Big Bang onwards.
Q: How does entropy relate to the concept of information erasure in computing?
A:
Entropy is fundamental to information theory and computing. Landauer's principle states that erasing information increases entropy, requiring a minimum amount of energy dissipation. This principle connects the abstract concept of information with physical entropy, demonstrating that information processing has thermodynamic consequences.
Q: What is the relationship between entropy and the spontaneity of dissolution processes?
A:
The spontaneity of dissolution processes is often driven by an increase in entropy. When a solute dissolves in a solvent, there's usually an increase in disorder as the solute particles become dispersed. This entropy increase can make dissolution spontaneous even if it's endothermic, explaining why some salts dissolve spontaneously despite absorbing heat from the surroundings.
Q: How does the concept of entropy apply to the formation of weather patterns?
A:
Entropy plays a role in weather pattern formation. The uneven heating of Earth's surface by the Sun creates temperature gradients, which represent a state of low entropy. The atmosphere works to eliminate these gradients, increasing entropy through processes like wind, precipitation, and storm formation. This drive towards higher entropy helps explain the complexity and dynamics of weather systems.
Q: What is the significance of entropy in understanding phase diagrams?
A:
Entropy is crucial in understanding phase diagrams. Phase transitions often involve significant changes in entropy. For example, the slope of the phase boundary lines in a pressure-temperature diagram is related to the entropy change of the transition through the Clapeyron equation. This relationship helps predict how changes in pressure or temperature will affect phase transitions.
Q: How does entropy relate to the concept of maximum work in thermodynamics?
A:
The concept of maximum work is closely tied to entropy. The maximum work that can be extracted from a system is achieved in a reversible process, where the entropy of the universe remains constant. In real (irreversible) processes, some work potential is always lost due to entropy generation, reducing the available work below this theoretical maximum.