Entropy and Entropy change

Entropy and Entropy change

Aug 26, 2022, 16:45 IST

Entropy and Entropy change

Definition of Entropy

Entropy is a thermodynamic state quantity which is a measure of randomness or disorder of the molecules of the system. Entropy is represented by the symbol “S”. It is difficult to define the actual entropy of a system. It is more convenient to define the change of entropy during a change of state.  The entropy change of a system may be defined as the integral of all the terms involving heat exchanged (q) divided by the absolute temperature (T) during each infinitesimally small change of the process carried out reversibly at constant temperature.

Units of entropy

Since entropy change is expressed by a heat term divided by temperature, it is expressed in terms of calorie per degree, i.e.,cal deg-1 . In SI units, the entropy is expressed in terms of joule per degree Kelvin, i.e., .

Properties of entropy :

The important characteristics of entropy are summed up below

(i) Entropy is an extensive property. Its value depends upon the amount of the substance present in the system.

(ii) Entropy of a system is a state function. It depends upon the state variables .

(iii) The change in entropy in going from one state to another is independent of the path.

(iv) The change in entropy for a cyclic process is always zero.

(v) The total entropy change of an isolated system is equal to the entropy change of system and entropy change of the surroundings. The sum is called entropy change of universe.

(vi) Entropy is a measure of unavailable energy for useful work. Unavailable energy = Entropy × Temperature

(vii) Entropy, S  is related to thermodynamic probability (W) by the relation,

Entropy changes in system & surroundings and total entropy change for Exothermic and Endothermic reactions Heat increases the thermal motion of the atoms or molecules and increases their disorder and hence their entropy. In case of an exothermic process, the heat escapes into the surroundings and therefore, entropy of the surroundings increases on the other hand in case of endothermic process, the heat enters the system from the surroundings and therefore. The entropy of the surroundings decreases.In general, there will be an overall increase of the total entropy (or disorder) whenever the disorder of the surroundings is greater than the decrease in disorder of the system. The process will be spontaneous only when the total entropy increases.

Entropy change during phase transition

The change of matter from one state (solid, liquid or gas) to another is called phase transition. Such changes occur at definite temperature such as melting point (solid to liquid). boiling point (liquid to vapours) etc, and are accompanied by absorption or evolution of heat.