Entropy

2 min read Updated Fri Apr 24 2026 03:46:02 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Emerged from 2nd law of thermodynamics. Denoted by SS. Not a conserved property.

There exists a property of a closed system such that a change in its value is equal to 12δQT\int_1^2 \frac{\delta Q}{T}, for any reversible process undergone by the system between state 1 and state 2.

ΔS=12δQT\Delta S = \int_1^2 \frac{\delta Q}{T}

For reversible process

ΔS=δQT\Delta S = \frac{\delta Q}{T}

Where:

  • ΔS\Delta S is the change in entropy
  • δQ\delta Q is the heat transfer
  • TT is the absolute temperature

For irreversible process

Entropy change of an irreversible process cannot be found. Entropy always increases.

Clausius Inequality

Aka. Clausius theorem. For a thermodynamic system exchanging heat with external thermal reservoirs, and undergoing a thermodynamic cycle, the following inequality holds:

δQT0\oint \frac{\delta Q}{T} \leq 0

If the the cycle is reversible, the inequality becomes an equality:

δQT={<0cycle is irreversible=0cycle is reversible>0cycle is impossible\oint \frac{\delta Q}{T} = \begin{cases} \lt 0 & \text{cycle is irreversible} \\ = 0 & \text{cycle is reversible} \\ \gt 0 & \text{cycle is impossible} \end{cases}

Principle of Increase of Entropy

For an isolated system, the entropy of the system never decreases. If the process undergone by the system is reversible, entropy remains constant. If the process is irreversible, entropy increases.

ΔSisolated0\Delta S_\text{isolated} \geq 0