Thermodynamic Entropy

Study Notes

Entropy is a measure of disorder, randomness, or uncertainty in a system.
It can be applied to various fields, including thermodynamics, information theory, and statistical mechanics.

In thermodynamics, entropy (S) is a state function that measures the amount of thermal energy unavailable to do work.
It is typically denoted by the symbol "S" and has units of joules per kelvin (J/K).
The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system always increases over time, which means that as energy is transferred or transformed from one place to another, some of the energy will become unavailable to do work because it becomes random and dispersed.

In information theory, entropy refers to the amount of uncertainty or randomness in a probability distribution.
It is used to quantify the amount of information in a message or the uncertainty of a probability distribution.
Shannon entropy, developed by Claude Shannon, is a measure of the average information content of a message.

Thermodynamic entropy: related to the thermal energy of a system.
Shannon entropy: related to the uncertainty of a probability distribution.
Configurational entropy: related to the arrangement of particles in a system.
Algorithmic entropy: related to the complexity of a computational algorithm.

Entropy increase: the total entropy of an isolated system always increases over time.
Entropy decrease: impossible in an isolated system, but possible in a non-isolated system where energy is transferred from a lower-entropy source.
Entropy equilibrium: a state where the entropy of a system is at its maximum, and no further increase is possible.

Cryptography: entropy is used to create secure encryption algorithms.
Data compression: entropy is used to compress data by removing redundant information.
Thermodynamic systems: entropy is used to analyze and optimize energy systems, such as power plants and refrigeration systems.

Entropy is a measure of disorder, randomness, or uncertainty in a system, applicable to thermodynamics, information theory, and statistical mechanics.

Measures the amount of thermal energy unavailable to do work in a system.
Denoted by the symbol "S" with units of joules per kelvin (J/K).
The second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy of an isolated system always increases over time.

Refers to the amount of uncertainty or randomness in a probability distribution.
Quantifies the amount of information in a message or the uncertainty of a probability distribution.
Shannon entropy measures the average information content of a message.

Entropy increase: total entropy of an isolated system always increases over time.
Entropy decrease: impossible in an isolated system, but possible in a non-isolated system with energy transfer.
Entropy equilibrium: a state where entropy is at its maximum, with no further increase possible.

Cryptography: entropy is used to create secure encryption algorithms.
Data compression: entropy is used to compress data by removing redundant information.
Thermodynamic systems: entropy is used to analyze and optimize energy systems, such as power plants and refrigeration systems.