Entropy

• Thermodynamic property of a system

• Amount of heat exchange at a given temperature
• Let’s find out based on mathematics
• Start with the 1st law

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Reversible & Irreversible processes

• A system is said to undergo a reversible transformation if each state of the

system is in equilibrium so that a reversal in the direction of an infinitesimal
change returns the system and the environment to their original states.

• Irreversible processes proceed at finite rates. Thus, if the system is restored

to its initial state, the environment will have changed from its initial state.

• Irreversibility does not mean that a system cannot return to its original state,
but that the system plus its environment cannot be restored.

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Reversible processes

• Figure from
Curry and
Webster

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2nd law of thermodynamics
• The Second Law states that
• In a reversible process the total entropy of a system plus its surrounding is unchanged
Δη = 0

• In a irreversible process the total entropy of a system plus its surrounding increase
Δη > 0

• The universe tends toward disorder or randomness

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2nd law of thermodynamics
How Kelvin stated?
Heat engine
• NO process exists in which heat is
extracted from a source at a single
temperature and converted
entirely into useful work, leaving
the rest of the world unchanged

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2nd law of thermodynamics
How Kelvin stated?
Heat engine
• NO engine can be more efficient
than a reversible engine working
between the same limits of
temperature, and that all
reversible engines working
between the same temperature
limits have the same efficiency

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2nd law of thermodynamics
How Kelvin stated? Primary source for entire notes of this document is the book by Curry & Webster

Heat engine
• If during one cycle of an engine a quantity of heat Q1 is absorbed and heat Q2 is rejected,
the amount of work done by the engine is Q1 - Q2

• The efficiency is ratio of work done by the engine to the heat absorbed
• Q1-Q2/Q1

• Carnot’s ideal heat engine

• Efficiency of a heat engine cannot be 100%
• Only by transferring heat from a warmer to a colder body can heat be converted into work
in a cyclic process