![]() Since processes take place by chance alone, and this leads to increasing randomness, we can say that in any spontaneous process (one that takes place of its own accord and is not driven by outside influences) entropy increases. S solids < S liquids < S gasses The second law of thermodynamics Observe the not all solids have smaller entropy values than all liquids nor do all liquids have smaller values than all gases. The natural logarithm, ln, also has the effect of scaling a vast number to a small one – the natural log of 10 -23 is 52.95, for example. In the expression above, k has the effect of scaling the vast number W to a smaller, more manageable number. Where W is the number of ways of arranging the particles that gives rise to a particular observed state of the system, and k is a constant called Boltzmann’s constant which has the value 1.38 x 10 -23 J K -1. (By a ‘state’, we mean an observable situation, such as a particular number of particles in each of two boxes.)Īs the numbers of particles increases, the number of possible arrangements in any particular state increases astronomically so we need a scaling factor to produce numbers that are easy to work with. Scientists have a mathematical way of measuring randomness – it is called ‘entropy’ and is related to the number of arrangements of particles (such as molecules) that lead to a particular state. However, you may find it helpful to read any accompanying instructions, observations and conclusions relating to the simulations below. The interactive ‘simulations’ for this tutorial are currently unavailable. ![]() ![]() RSC Yusuf Hamied Inspirational Science Programme.Introductory maths for higher education. ![]()
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