Re: Entropy and states of matter

[Brian Whatcott <inet@INTELLISYS.NET>]

At 11:14 PM 2/26/02, Sarma wrote:
> On 26 Feb 2002, at 18:31, Jim Green wrote:
>
>
> >  As the gas condenses negative work is done on the molecules
> > and hence their energy level decreases and so  does the entropy of the
> > condensate.
>
> The whole trouble is all of us including students know only of two
> situations. One is we do not do any work.( This is the preferred
> state sought by everybody). The second is doing some positive
> work. (This option is usually out of favor).
>
> But none of us know how to do negative work on something.
> Hence the conceptual problems.
>
> regards,
>
> Sarma


There ARE those scurrilous characters who say "This is Jim-Speak, whereby
heating provided on B by A is described as negative work done on A by B."

What could be more straight-forward?
Still, no right thinking physicist will endorse this translation.... or
will she?



Brian Whatcott
  Altus OK                      Eureka!