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Related Concept Videos

Entropy01:18

Entropy

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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.
Consider an infinitesimal step in the expansion, which...
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Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics01:20

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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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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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Entropy within the Cell01:22

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A living cell's primary tasks of obtaining, transforming, and using energy to do work may seem simple. However, the second law of thermodynamics explains why these tasks are harder than they appear. None of the energy transfers in the universe are completely efficient. In every energy transfer, some amount of energy is lost in a form that is unusable. In most cases, this form is heat energy. Thermodynamically, heat energy is defined as the energy transferred from one system to another that...
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Entropy Change in Reversible Processes01:10

Entropy Change in Reversible Processes

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In the Carnot engine, which achieves the maximum efficiency between two reservoirs of fixed temperatures, the total change in entropy is zero. The observation can be generalized by considering any reversible cyclic process consisting of many Carnot cycles. Thus, it can be stated that the total entropy change of any ideal reversible cycle is zero.
The statement can be further generalized to prove that entropy is a state function. Take a cyclic process between any two points on a p-V diagram.
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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...
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Quantification of Information Encoded by Gene Expression Levels During Lifespan Modulation Under Broad-range Dietary Restriction in C. elegans
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Entropy: From Thermodynamics to Information Processing.

Jordão Natal1, Ivonete Ávila2, Victor Batista Tsukahara1

  • 1Signal Processing Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computing Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos 3566-590, Brazil.

Entropy (Basel, Switzerland)
|October 23, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This paper clarifies the concept of entropy, distinguishing its thermodynamic and information theory definitions. It explores the historical evolution and mathematical connections of entropy across scientific fields.

Keywords:
entropyinformation theorythermodynamics

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Area of Science:

  • Thermodynamics
  • Information Theory

Background:

  • Entropy originated in 19th-century thermodynamics, linked to heat and work.
  • 20th-century information theory introduced a parallel concept of entropy.
  • Misconceptions exist regarding the relationship between thermodynamic and information entropy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To differentiate between entropy in thermodynamics and information theory.
  • To provide a historical overview of the term 'entropy'.
  • To offer a theoretical review of entropy's interconnections across scientific disciplines.

Main Methods:

  • Historical analysis of the term 'entropy'.
  • Mathematical evidence and logical arguments for entropy's interconnections.
  • Comparative review of entropy in different scientific fields.

Main Results:

  • Entropy's definition as 'disorder' is an oversimplification and often inaccurate.
  • Thermodynamic and information entropy share underlying mathematical and conceptual links.
  • The paper aims to resolve common misconceptions about entropy.

Conclusions:

  • Entropy is a unifying concept across diverse scientific domains.
  • A clear distinction and understanding of entropy's various forms are crucial.
  • This review serves as a reference for a broad audience on the multifaceted nature of entropy.