Republic of the Philippines

BICOL STATE COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY

City of Naga
1st Semester – A/Y 2020-2021
Thermodynamics

Prepared By: Mary Jan Alysson G. Doblon

ENTROPY (Reversible and Irreversible Process)

A reversible process is one for which all intermediate states between extremes
are equilibrium states; it can change direction at any time. In contrast, an irreversible process
occurs in one direction only. The change in entropy of the system or the surroundings is the
quantity of heat transferred divided by the temperature. The second law of thermodynamics states
that in a reversible process, the entropy of the universe is constant, whereas in an irreversible
process, such as the transfer of heat from a hot object to a cold object, the entropy of the universe
increases.
ΔS = 0 reversible process; ΔS > 0 irreversible process
The entropy of various parts of the system may change, but the total change is zero.
Furthermore, the system does not affect the entropy of its surroundings, since heat transfer between
them does not occur. Thus the reversible process changes neither the total entropy of the system
nor the entropy of its surroundings. Sometimes this is stated as follows: Reversible processes do
not affect the total entropy of the universe. Real processes are not reversible, though, and they do
change total entropy. We can, however, use hypothetical reversible processes to determine the
value of entropy in real, irreversible processes.

Sample problem:

You have two styro foam containers of water. Each holds 1 kg of water. In one the water
temperature is 17°C, while in the other it is 37°C. The colder water is then poured into the
warmer water, and the system is allowed to come to equilibrium.

Is this process reversible or irreversible?

1. Reversible
2. Irreversible

Answer:

The process is irreversible - any process involving a transfer of heat from a higher-temperature
region to a lower-temperature region is irreversible.

Assuming no heat is exchanged with the surroundings or the environment, what is the change in
entropy in the mixing process?
 Republic of the Philippines
BICOL STATE COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
City of Naga
1st Semester – A/Y 2020-2021
Thermodynamics

Prepared By: Mary Jan Alysson G. Doblon

First, determine how much heat is involved.

Given:

m = 1kg

c = 4186 J/kg℃

𝑇ℎ = 37℃

𝑇𝑐 = 17℃

Formula:

𝑄𝑐 = 𝑄ℎ

mcΔT= mcΔT

Solution:

mcΔT= mcΔT

(1kg)( 4186 J/kg℃)(𝑇𝑓 − 17℃) = (1kg) (4186 J/kg℃)(37℃ − 𝑇𝑓 )

(1)( 4186 J/℃)(𝑇𝑓 − 17℃) = (1) (4186 J/℃)(37℃ − 𝑇𝑓 )

(℃)(1)( 4186 J/℃)(𝑇𝑓 − 17℃) = (1) (4186 J/℃)(37℃ − 𝑇𝑓 )( ℃)

(1)( 4186 J)(𝑇𝑓 − 17℃) = (1) (4186 J)(37℃ − 𝑇𝑓 )

4186𝐽𝑇𝑓 − 71162𝐽℃ = 154882𝐽℃ −4186J𝑇𝑓

4186𝐽𝑇𝑓 + 4186J𝑇𝑓 = 154882𝐽℃ + 71162𝐽℃

8372 J𝑇𝑓 = 226044𝐽℃

8372 J𝑇𝑓 226044𝐽℃

=
8372 J 8372 J

𝑇𝑓 = 27℃
 Republic of the Philippines
BICOL STATE COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
City of Naga
1st Semester – A/Y 2020-2021
Thermodynamics

Prepared By: Mary Jan Alysson G. Doblon

The final temperature will be 27°C. The heat transferred from the hot water to the cold water is
therefore:

Q = mcΔT

m = 1kg

c = 4186 J/kg℃

∆𝑇 = 10℃
𝐽
Q = mc∆𝑇 = 1𝑘𝑔 𝑥 4186 𝑘𝑔℃ 𝑥 10℃ = 41860𝐽

Calculate the change in entropy for the hot and cold water using the equation:

ΔS = Q/T

Because the two samples of water have equal mass the equilibrium temperature will be
27°C, halfway between the initial temperatures of the two samples. Thus, while heat is being
transferred from the warmer water to the cooler water the average temperature of the cooler
water will be 22°C, and the average temperature of the warmer water will be 32°C.

For the cold water, Tavg = 22°C = 295 K.

For the hot water Tavg = 32°C = 305 K.

Q is positive for the cold water, because heat was added, and negative for the hot water.
Therefore, for the mixing process:
41860𝐽 41860𝐽
ΔScold + ΔShot = − = +4.65 J/K.
295𝐾 305𝐾
 Republic of the Philippines
BICOL STATE COLLEGE OF APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY
City of Naga
1st Semester – A/Y 2020-2021
Thermodynamics

Prepared By: Mary Jan Alysson G. Doblon

Answer Sheet
A. Answer the following questions.
Multiple choice: Choose the correct answer (1-3)
1. During a cyclic, reversible process, entropy
a. Increases
b. Decreases
c. remains the same
2. Irreversibility in a system cause entropy to
a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. remain the same
𝑄
3. The entropy equation ∆𝑆 = 𝑇 is only true for
a. Reversible Process
b. Irreversible process
c. Both a and b
d. None of these
For item 3 and 4:
A hot rice cools by heat transfer to the cooler air.
4. Does entropy of the rice increase or decrease in this process?
5. Does the entropy of the universe increase or decrease in this process?

6. Is it possible to create entropy? Is it possible to destroy it?

B. Solve the following.(show your complete solution)

1. An ice tray contains 500 g of water. Calculate the change in entropy of the water as it
freezes completely and slowly at 0 oC. latent heat of fusion for water/ice = 333000
J/kg.

2. Determine the change in entropy (in J/K) of water when 425 kJ of heat is applied to it
at 50oC. Assume the change is reversible and the temperature remains constant.

3. What is the increase in entropy when 3.00kg of ice at 0℃ melt from water at 0℃?

4. If the change in entropy of a system where heat was added is 18 J/K, and the
temperature of the system is 308 K, what is the amount of heat added to the system?