Entropy change of environment during an irreversible process

In summary, there is a difference in the change in entropy of the gas and the surroundings in an irreversible process, as the total change in entropy of the universe is positive. However, the change in entropy for each can still be calculated using a reversible process. To calculate the entropy change for both the system and surroundings in an irreversible process, separate reversible processes must be devised for each.
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crick
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What is the change in entropy of thermodynamic environment if it changes its temperature during the process and the process is not reversible?

I'm slightly confused because, on the one side, in that case ##\Delta S_{gas} \neq -\Delta S_{surroundings}##, since ##\Delta S_{universe} >0## but on the other hand ##\Delta S## does not depend on the specific process, so it should be the same as in a reversible one (and, in a reversible process, ##\Delta S_{gas} =-\Delta S_{sourroundings}##).
For istance, for an ideal gas we can calculate ##\Delta S## using a reversible transformation, even if the real transformation it is not.
What am I missing here?

So how can one calculate the entropy change of the environment in such cases?
 
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If you had an irreversible process, to get the entropy change for both the system and surroundings, you will need to separate them and devise a separate reversible process for each of them to determine the entropy change for each. You will not be able to get between the initial and final states of both simultaneously with the same reversible process.
 
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FAQ: Entropy change of environment during an irreversible process

What is entropy change of environment during an irreversible process?

The entropy change of environment during an irreversible process is a measure of the increase in disorder or randomness of the surroundings as a result of the process. It is often denoted as ΔSenv and is an important concept in thermodynamics.

How is the entropy change of environment related to the second law of thermodynamics?

The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of a closed system always increases over time in an irreversible process. The entropy change of the environment is a direct consequence of this law, as the system releases energy and increases disorder in the surroundings.

Can the entropy change of environment be negative?

No, the entropy change of environment cannot be negative. According to the second law of thermodynamics, the total entropy of a closed system must always increase, and the environment is a part of the overall system. Therefore, the entropy change of the environment must always be equal to or greater than zero.

How does the entropy change of environment affect the efficiency of a process?

The entropy change of the environment is related to the efficiency of a process through the Carnot efficiency formula, which states that the efficiency of a reversible process is equal to the temperature difference between the hot and cold reservoirs divided by the temperature of the hot reservoir. Therefore, a larger entropy change of the environment would result in a lower efficiency of the process.

Is the entropy change of environment always constant?

No, the entropy change of environment can vary depending on the specific irreversible process. It is affected by factors such as temperature, pressure, and energy transfer, and can change at different rates throughout a process. However, the total entropy change of the environment will always be equal to or greater than zero.

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