Question

From the standpoint of entropy, consider the following processes: water boiling, mixing cola and root beer sodas, and assembling a house of cards. Based on your understanding, which of the following statements is true?
a) Water boiling and mixing cola and root beer sodas are not favorable processes, but assembling a house of cards is.
b) Water boiling and mixing cola and root beer sodas are favorable processes, but assembling a house of cards is not.
c) Water boiling is a favorable process, but mixing cola and root beer sodas and assembling a house of cards are not.
d) All of the listed processes are favorable.

Answer 1

Answer:

b) Water boiling and mixing cola and root beer sodas are favorable processes, but assembling a house of cards is not.

Explanation:

Entropy, a measure of a system's thermal energy per unit of temperature that cannot be used to do work. Work, is obtained from directed motion of molecules, it follows the the amount of entropy is a measure of the molecular randomness, or disorder, of the system. As such increased entropy increases randomness hence water boiling and mixing cola and root beer sodas are favorable processes, but assembling a house of cards which requires a great deal of effort is not.