Which term describes the increase of disorder in an isolated system?

Which term describes the increase of disorder in an isolated system?

• A. Conservation of energy
• B. Stable energy
• C. Entropic increase
• D. Thermal equilibrium

Answer: (C)

The term that describes the increase of disorder in an isolated system is "entropic increase." Entropy is a central concept in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, representing the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. In the context of the second law of thermodynamics, entropy tends to increase over time in an isolated system, indicating that systems evolve towards states of greater disorder. This increase in entropy signifies that energy becomes less available for doing work as the system becomes more disordered. Thus, in an isolated system where no energy is exchanged with the surroundings, the natural progression leads to a state of maximum entropy, or disorder, as time unfolds. This concept is foundational in understanding not just physical processes, but also the directionality of processes in biological systems and chemical reactions. The other terms mentioned do not accurately capture this phenomenon. "Conservation of energy" refers to the principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. "Stable energy" is not a widely recognized term in thermodynamics and does not convey the concept of disorder. "Thermal equilibrium" describes a state where two systems in contact with each other have reached the same temperature, and while it involves considerations of energy distribution, it does not inherently refer to the

The term that describes the increase of disorder in an isolated system is "entropic increase." Entropy is a central concept in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, representing the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. In the context of the second law of thermodynamics, entropy tends to increase over time in an isolated system, indicating that systems evolve towards states of greater disorder.

This increase in entropy signifies that energy becomes less available for doing work as the system becomes more disordered. Thus, in an isolated system where no energy is exchanged with the surroundings, the natural progression leads to a state of maximum entropy, or disorder, as time unfolds. This concept is foundational in understanding not just physical processes, but also the directionality of processes in biological systems and chemical reactions.

The other terms mentioned do not accurately capture this phenomenon. "Conservation of energy" refers to the principle that energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another. "Stable energy" is not a widely recognized term in thermodynamics and does not convey the concept of disorder. "Thermal equilibrium" describes a state where two systems in contact with each other have reached the same temperature, and while it involves considerations of energy distribution, it does not inherently refer to the