Entropy Properties: Correct & Incorrect Expressions

In summary: Therefore, the correct expression is the only one that satisfies all the necessary properties of entropy for an ideal gas undergoing a reversible process. In summary, the correct expression for the entropy of an ideal gas includes terms for the number of particles, temperature, and volume, and also satisfies the second law of thermodynamics and includes a constant term, while the incorrect expression does not.
  • #1
Guffie
23
0
hello,

i have been given two formulae for the entropy of an ideal gas undergoing a reversible process.

the correct expression is:

S = Nk(s0-ln[itex]({\frac{N_0}{N}})^{5/2} + ln({\frac{T}{T_0}})^{3/2} + ln({\frac{V}{V_0}})) [/itex]

where s_0 is a constant, N the number of particles, T the temperature and V the volume.

and the incorrect is (derived assuming N is constant)

S=[itex] Nk (ln({\frac{T}{T_0}})^{3/2} + ln({\frac{V}{V_0}})) [/itex]

my question is,

the incorrect expression allows for negative entropies which is not possible, is this the only reason property of entropy this equation doesn't satisfy?

the other thing is showing that this isn't a problem with the correct expression, the only way to show this is to say that s_0 must be larger then the negative terms (the negation will depend on the system, if N > N_0 then V > V_0, so the ln(V/V_0) will be +, then there's two possibilities for T/T_0.)

is that the only way to show that the correct expression is always positive?

are there any other properties the incorrect expression doesn't satisfy that the correct expression does satisfy?
 
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  • #2
Yes, there are several properties of entropy that the incorrect expression does not satisfy. The correct expression must satisfy the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the entropy of a system can never decrease over time. The incorrect expression allows for negative entropies, which violates this law. Additionally, the correct expression takes into account the number of particles in a system, while the incorrect expression does not. This means that the incorrect expression does not accurately account for the behavior of an ideal gas undergoing a reversible process. Finally, the correct expression includes a constant (s_0) which accounts for the entropy of the system at its initial state, while the incorrect expression does not.
 

1. What is entropy and why is it important in science?

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. In science, it is important because it helps us understand the direction and spontaneity of chemical reactions, as well as the flow of energy in a system. It is also a fundamental concept in thermodynamics and information theory.

2. How is entropy related to the second law of thermodynamics?

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system always increases over time. This means that in any natural process, the amount of disorder or randomness will always increase. Entropy is a measure of this disorder, so it is closely related to the second law of thermodynamics.

3. What are some properties of entropy?

Some properties of entropy include: it increases with increasing temperature, it is always positive or zero, and it is additive for independent systems. Additionally, entropy is a state function, meaning it depends only on the current state of the system and not the path taken to reach that state.

4. What are some common incorrect expressions for entropy?

Some common incorrect expressions for entropy include: "entropy is the amount of heat in a system", "entropy is the measure of chaos or disorder", and "entropy can be negative". These expressions are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the concept of entropy and can lead to misunderstandings.

5. How can we calculate the change in entropy for a system?

The change in entropy for a system can be calculated using the equation ΔS = ∫(dq/T), where dq is the infinitesimal amount of heat added or removed from the system and T is the temperature. This integral can be evaluated for different processes to determine the change in entropy.

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