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Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics01:20

Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

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The second law of thermodynamics can be stated quantitatively using the concept of entropy. Entropy is the measure of disorder of the system.
The relation  between entropy and disorder can be illustrated with the example of the phase change of ice to water. In ice, the molecules are located at specific sites giving a solid state, whereas, in a liquid form, these molecules are much freer to move. The molecular arrangement has therefore become more randomized. Although the change in average...
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Entropy01:18

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The first law of thermodynamics is quantitatively formulated via an equation relating the internal energy of a system, the heat exchanged by it, and the work done on it. A quantitative formulation of the second law of thermodynamics leads to defining a state function, the entropy.
When an ideal gas expands isothermally, the disorder in the gas increases. From the molecular perspective, the gas molecules have more volume to move around in.
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Entropy02:39

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Salt particles that have dissolved in water never spontaneously come back together in solution to reform solid particles. Moreover, a gas that has expanded in a vacuum remains dispersed and never spontaneously reassembles. The unidirectional nature of these phenomena is the result of a thermodynamic state function called entropy (S). Entropy is the measure of the extent to which the energy is dispersed throughout a system, or in other words, it is proportional to the degree of disorder of a...
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The Second Law of Thermodynamics01:14

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In the quest to identify a property that may reliably predict the spontaneity of a process, a promising candidate has been identified: entropy. Scientists refer to the measure of randomness or disorder within a system as entropy. High entropy means high disorder and low energy. To better understand entropy, think of a student’s bedroom. If no energy or work were put into it, the room would quickly become messy. It would exist in a very disordered state, one of high entropy. Energy must be...
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Second Law of Thermodynamics02:49

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In the quest to identify a property that may reliably predict the spontaneity of a process, a promising candidate has been identified: entropy. Processes that involve an increase in entropy of the system (ΔS > 0) are very often spontaneous; however, examples to the contrary are plentiful. By expanding consideration of entropy changes to include the surroundings, a significant conclusion regarding the relation between this property and spontaneity may be reached. In thermodynamic models, the...
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Second Law of Thermodynamics00:53

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The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that entropy, or the amount of disorder in a system, increases each time energy is transferred or transformed. Each energy transfer results in a certain amount of energy that is lost—usually in the form of heat—that increases the disorder of the surroundings. This can also be demonstrated in a classic food web. Herbivores harvest chemical energy from plants and release heat and carbon dioxide into the environment. Carnivores harvest the...
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An Analog Macroscopic Technique for Studying Molecular Hydrodynamic Processes in Dense Gases and Liquids
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Thermodynamics from relative entropy.

Stefan Floerchinger1, Tobias Haas1

  • 1Institut für Theoretische Physik, Universität Heidelberg, Philosophenweg 16, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

Physical Review. E
|December 17, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study explores replacing entropy with relative entropy in thermodynamics. Researchers found that minimum expected relative entropy can replace maximum entropy, offering new thermodynamic definitions and reformulating the third law.

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Area of Science:

  • Thermodynamics
  • Statistical Mechanics
  • Quantum Field Theory

Background:

  • Thermodynamics is traditionally based on entropy and the maximum entropy principle.
  • Relative entropy offers potential advantages, particularly in quantum field theory.
  • Exploring alternative foundations for thermodynamic principles is crucial for theoretical advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the feasibility of replacing entropy with relative entropy in thermodynamics.
  • To establish a minimum expected relative entropy principle as an alternative to the maximum entropy principle.
  • To redefine thermodynamic ensembles and potentials using relative entropy.

Main Methods:

  • Theoretical analysis of thermodynamic principles.
  • Application of relative entropy in the context of statistical mechanics and quantum field theory.
  • Reformulation of thermodynamic laws using relative entropy.

Main Results:

  • The principle of maximum entropy can be substituted with a principle of minimum expected relative entropy.
  • Thermodynamic ensembles and potentials are successfully defined via relative entropy.
  • Thermal fluctuations are demonstrated to be governed by relative entropy.
  • The third law of thermodynamics is reformulated exclusively using relative entropy.

Conclusions:

  • Relative entropy provides a viable and advantageous foundation for thermodynamics.
  • The minimum expected relative entropy principle offers a powerful alternative to the maximum entropy principle.
  • This framework has implications for understanding quantum field theory and fundamental thermodynamic laws.