The useful idea
- Possible microstates
Entropy is a thermodynamic state variable that quantifies the probabilistic distribution of accessible microstates in a system.
- Entropy cannot decrease
Entropy is central to the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the entropy of an isolated system left to spontaneous evolution cannot decrease with time.
- Toward equilibrium
As a result, isolated systems evolve toward thermodynamic equilibrium, where the entropy is highest.
Why this matters
Look for Entropy the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Try this
Look for Entropy the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Entropy?
- Entropy cannot decrease
- Possible microstates — correct
- Toward equilibrium
Entropy is a thermodynamic state variable that quantifies the probabilistic distribution of accessible microstates in a system.