Entropy of a contained ideal gas mixture

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

Heating an ideal gas mixture inside a non-expanding container results in an increase in entropy. Despite the gases being confined, the increase in particle speeds leads to a greater number of possible microstates, thereby enhancing disorder. This principle aligns with the second law of thermodynamics, which states that entropy in a closed system will always increase when energy is added.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the second law of thermodynamics
  • Familiarity with the concept of microstates in statistical mechanics
  • Knowledge of ideal gas laws
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics and heat transfer
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of the second law of thermodynamics in closed systems
  • Explore statistical mechanics and its relation to entropy and microstates
  • Investigate the behavior of ideal gases under varying temperature conditions
  • Learn about entropy calculations for different thermodynamic processes
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, thermodynamics researchers, and anyone interested in the behavior of gases and entropy in closed systems.

Airsteve0
Messages
80
Reaction score
0
If an ideal gas mixture is heated inside of a container which does not expand then does the entropy increase? Outside the container I know it would but inside the container the gases can't really become more disordered.
 
Last edited:
Science news on Phys.org
But particle speeds are higher, so there are more possible speeds that any particular particle can assume. Heating thus provides more possible microstates.

Heating a system always increases its entropy.
 
thank you for the clarification!
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Movable Wall in an Adiabatic System: Same Final Temperature?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Undergrad Helmholtz entropy of ideal gas mixture is additive?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Undergrad Focus Problem for Entropy Change in Irreversible Adiabatic Process
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
11K
Undergrad Irreversible adiabatic processes & entropy change (clarification needed)
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
6K
Graduate Free expansion of an ideal gas and changes in entropy
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Undergrad Why pressure stays the same when doubling both volume and temperature?
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
6K
Undergrad How to calculate the mass of gas in a tank?
  • · Replies 109 ·
4
Replies
109
Views
9K
Undergrad Confusion about the entropy of mixing
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Undergrad Does Callen's Entropy Expression for a General Ideal Gas Contain an Error?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
Undergrad Compressing gas with piston: reasons for temperature increase?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K