All Flashcards
What is the difference between entropy changes in open and closed systems?
Closed systems: Entropy always increases over time. Open systems: Entropy can decrease locally, but the total entropy of the universe still increases.
Compare and contrast reversible and irreversible processes in terms of entropy.
Reversible processes (ideal): Entropy remains constant. Irreversible processes (real): Entropy always increases.
What is the effect of energy spreading out in a system?
An increase in entropy.
What happens to the entropy of a gas as it cools in a closed container?
The entropy of the gas decreases, but the entropy of the surroundings increases by a greater amount, so the total entropy of the universe increases.
What is the effect of the Second Law of Thermodynamics on the universe?
The total entropy of the universe is always increasing.
What are the differences between open and closed systems regarding entropy?
Closed System: Entropy always increases over time. Open System: Entropy can decrease locally, but the total entropy of the universe still increases.
Differentiate between entropy increase and constant entropy.
Entropy Increase: Occurs naturally as energy spreads out in a system. Constant Entropy: Only happens in ideal reversible processes (rare).