Entropiewijziging

Entropiewijziging, or entropy change, is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics that describes the change in the disorder or randomness of a system. It is denoted by the symbol ΔS and is measured in joules per kelvin (J/K).

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease over time, and is constant if and only if all processes are reversible. This law leads to the concept of entropy change, which can be either positive or negative.

A positive entropy change (ΔS > 0) indicates an increase in disorder or randomness, such as melting of ice, where the ordered structure of ice crystals is destroyed. This is often associated with heat transfer from a colder to a hotter system.

A negative entropy change (ΔS < 0) indicates a decrease in disorder, such as freezing of water, where water molecules arrange themselves into a more ordered structure. This is often associated with heat transfer from a hotter to a colder system.

Entropy change is a key factor in many natural processes and industrial applications, such as heat engines, refrigerators, and chemical reactions. It is also crucial in understanding the direction and feasibility of processes in thermodynamics.