Understanding Entropy and Its Relationship to Length and Temperature Changes

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In summary, in a reversible process, the change in entropy is equal to the change in energy, but in an irreversible process, there is an increase in entropy.
  • #1
leright
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ok, so a infinitesimal change in entropy is dS = dQ/T. Differentials are used so that temperature change is neglibible over the change in Q.

Now, I have a homework problem that wants me to express the change in entropy of a rod as a function of length changes and temperature changes. Now, isn't the change in entropy with respect to change in length zero, since dS = dQ/T? The internal energy changes wrt work done on the rod, but it seems the entropy does not? Can someone explain why it does change with length changes? Also, if entropy does change wrt length changes how would I go about determining the entropy changes along an integration path where T is constant??

the force on the rod is F = -aT^2(L-Lo), where Lo is the initial length.

Thanks a lot.
 
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  • #2
Please guys, I need your help. :(
 
  • #3
Maybe you should write the exact problem.

Anywho, I took engineering thermo, so I can't help. We only did systems invloving fluids.

Bed time,

Ciao.
 
  • #4
It mentions that the rod is well insulated, which would obviously mean that the system is isenthalpic (constant heat). This means that dU = dW.

If the rod were constant internal energy then any work done would result in a decrease in the heat content, which would correspond to a temperature change, but the conditions of the problem do not imply constna internal energy.

I lose.
 
  • #5
Maybe I should just kill myself.
 
  • #6
Sounds like a good idea.
 
  • #7
cyrusabdollahi said:
Sounds like a good idea.

haha

no really, I need help.

I figured deltaS = 0.5b((Tf)^2 - (To)^2) = 0, where b is a constant and Tf and Ti are the final and initial temps, respectively. Entropy doesn't seem to have any dependence on length. wtf?

And I thought you were going to bed.
 
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  • #8
Im working on my heat transfer project, leave me alone! Dead people can't post.

I don't know if this helps, but a change in length of the rod is a result of a change in energy of the rod. It can be thermal energy (expansion) or stress energy (strain).
 
  • #9
cyrusabdollahi said:
Im working on my heat transfer project, leave me alone! Dead people can't post.

I don't know if this helps, but a change in length of the rod is a result of a change in energy of the rod. It can be thermal energy (expansion) or stress energy (strain).

Yes, I realize this. If the internal energy of the rod was constant then work done on the rod would need to have a corresponding change in heat, and therefore a change in entropy. However, this is NOT a constant internal energy condition...it is a constant enthalpy condition, which simply means that the change in internal energy is equal to the work done on the rod. This, however, does not help me.

hmmm...
 
  • #10
ok, let me ask you this. When you stretch a rod, does it change temperature?? If so, why?

This is a constant heat process, btw...but NOT constant U (internal energy)
 
  • #11
leright said:
ok, so a infinitesimal change in entropy is dS = dQ/T. Differentials are used so that temperature change is neglibible over the change in Q.

Now, I have a homework problem that wants me to express the change in entropy of a rod as a function of length changes and temperature changes. Now, isn't the change in entropy with respect to change in length zero, since dS = dQ/T?


Yes. So if you know the answer, what's the problem ? :smile:

If you change the length in a reversible way by applying an external force which will hence only do work, and you don't have any heat transfer, then the process is adiabatic and isentropic.

Of course, if the external force gives rise to an irreversible process (like turning a paddle in a liquid), then there will be an entropy increase (although the process is, strictly speaking, adiabatic but irreversible).
 
  • #12
leright said:
ok, let me ask you this. When you stretch a rod, does it change temperature?? If so, why?

This is a constant heat process, btw...but NOT constant U (internal energy)

Indeed, there will be a change in internal energy equal to the work done by the external force: dU = dQ + dW (if dW is the work done on the system, there can be different sign conventions).
Given that dQ = 0 and dW = F.ds, we have that dU = F.ds

But the internal energy can change while keeping S constant.
As you pointed out correctly, dS = dQ/T (in a reversible process).
Given that dQ = 0, we have that dS = 0, but given that dW is not 0, we have that dU is not 0. There is no contradiction here. S and U are different state functions, and a change in state can result in a change in U and not a change in S.
 

FAQ: Understanding Entropy and Its Relationship to Length and Temperature Changes

What is entropy?

Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. It is a thermodynamic property that describes the amount of energy that is unavailable for work in a system.

How does entropy relate to length and temperature changes?

Entropy is directly related to temperature changes. As the temperature of a system increases, the disorder or randomness within the system also increases, thus increasing the entropy. Similarly, as the length of a system increases, the number of microstates (possible arrangements of particles) also increases, leading to an increase in entropy.

Can entropy be created or destroyed?

No, according to the second law of thermodynamics, entropy can only increase or remain constant in a closed system. It cannot be created or destroyed.

How does the concept of entropy apply to real-world situations?

Entropy is a fundamental concept in many fields of science, including physics, chemistry, and biology. It can be used to explain phenomena such as the dissipation of heat and the direction of chemical reactions. In everyday life, entropy is evident in processes such as the melting of ice cubes or the rusting of metal.

Is there a relationship between entropy and the arrow of time?

Yes, entropy is closely related to the arrow of time, which describes the one-way direction of time from the past to the future. Entropy tends to increase over time, leading to an increase in disorder and randomness in a system. This is why we perceive time as moving forward and not backward.

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