Chapter 18, Problem 87A

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation : The highly unlikely for the system in (b) to progress to the system in (c) is to be explained.

Concept Introduction : Entropy is a measure of a system's unpredictability or disorder, according to its definition. It is a measurement of a system's thermal energy per unit of temperature that is just not usable for doing productive work.

Answer to Problem 87A

It is highly unlikely for the system in (b) to progress to the system in (c) because there is a decrease in entropy and it is a non-spontaneous process.

Explanation of Solution

There are three different systems given in the question.

In (a), there is a totally ordered system which is a closed system with separated two different monoatomic gases.

In (b), there is a maximum randomness and disordered system with a mix of two gases.

In (c), there is again an ordered system that is open with separated two gases.

Figure (a) to (b) is the spontaneous process that is favored by increasing the entropy.

The change from figure (b) to (c) does not occur since there is a decrease in entropy which is a non-spontaneous process.