Entropy: Does Disorder Really Measure Order?

[Jaccobtw]

Homework Statement

How is entropy a measure of disorder?

Relevant Equations

S = k ln W

Let's say you have a very dirty small room room and a giant clean library (lots of organized books) and let's say these occupy the same number of microstates. The entropy according to this equation is the same for the library and the room. But one is more ordered than the other one. How does it make sense that entropy is a measure of disorder?? I hope this question makes sense.

 

[berkeman]

Homework Statement:: How is entropy a measure of disorder?
Relevant Equations:: S = k ln W

Let's say you have a very dirty small room room and a giant clean library (lots of organized books) and let's say these occupy the same number of microstates. The entropy according to this equation is the same for the library and the room. But one is more ordered than the other one. How does it make sense that entropy is a measure of disorder?? I hope this question makes sense.

What are your thoughts so far?

Is this question for schoolwork/homework, or a more general question? Thanks.

 

[Bystander]

"Order = tidy" is not equivalent to "order = low entropy;" this inevitably comes up/arises in "life = order" arguments, and cannot be further from the actual facts of the matter.

 

[haruspex]

Homework Statement:: How is entropy a measure of disorder?
Relevant Equations:: S = k ln W

Let's say you have a very dirty small room room and a giant clean library (lots of organized books) and let's say these occupy the same number of microstates. The entropy according to this equation is the same for the library and the room. But one is more ordered than the other one. How does it make sense that entropy is a measure of disorder?? I hope this question makes sense.

Don't confuse total entropy with entropy density.

 

[Mister T]

Homework Statement:: How is entropy a measure of disorder?

It's better to think of entropy as the spreading of energy.

 

[Jaccobtw]

"Order = tidy" is not equivalent to "order = low entropy;" this inevitably comes up/arises in "life = order" arguments, and cannot be further from the actual facts of the matter.

Doesn’t life have low entropy?

 

[Jaccobtw]

Don't confuse total entropy with entropy density.

Are you saying the library has lower entropy density than the room?

 

[haruspex]

Are you saying the library has lower entropy density than the room?

Yes. The library has fewer microstates per unit volume.

 

[Bystander]

Doesn’t life have low entropy?

No.