Entropy

Definition

Entropy is a thermodynamic property that measures the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. It quantifies how spread out or dispersed the energy and particles are within a system.

Related terms

Second Law of Thermodynamics:

States that in any spontaneous process, the total entropy of an isolated system always increases over time.

Boltzmann's Formula: Relates entropy to the number of microstates (possible arrangements) corresponding to a given macrostate (observable properties) of a system.

Gibbs Free Energy: Combines enthalpy (heat content) and entropy to determine whether a reaction will be spontaneous at constant temperature and pressure.