Monday, April 4, 2011

Importance of Entropy

Firstly, the definition for entropy is the measure of randomness or disorder in a collection of objects or energy; symbolized by S.  In layman terms connected to biology, entropy is the measure of the randomness of the particles in an object or system.  So an example would be when you add heat to an ice cube, the randomness of the particles increase, because the heat causes the particles to go from just vibrating to vibrating and moving fluidly into open space.

Entropy is also a part of the Thermodynamic Laws, namely being the second law.  The Second Law of Thermodynamics states:  All systems will spontaneously increase in entropy over time.

A good way to prove entropy:
  1. Change of state
  2. Energy Form
  3. Number of particles
In addition, to quickly demonstrate a reaction has actually followed the laws of thermodynamics, balance the chemical equation.

    No comments:

    Post a Comment