Understanding Entropy

[ls1datson]

Main Question or Discussion Point

I know this is elementary, but I'm having trouble understanding the definition of entropy. If someone could better clarify the term for me it would be much appreciated.

 

[Sentin3l]

from wikipedia:

Entropy is a measure of the number of specific ways in which a system may be arranged, often taken to be a measure of disorder, or a measure of progressing towards thermodynamic equilibrium. The entropy of an isolated system never decreases, because isolated systems spontaneously evolve towards thermodynamic equilibrium, which is the state of maximum entropy.

 

[jtbell]

If someone could better clarify the term for me it would be much appreciated.

It would help if you could tell us what you don't understand about it. Otherwise we're just "shooting in the dark."