Re: [Phys-l] Entropy Increase Question

[chuck britton <cvbritton@mac.com>]

Excellent example!!

In irregular seed crystal evolves into a gloriously faceted gem.


At 8:59 PM -0700 3/15/10, Leigh Palmer wrote:
> Yes, there are situations in which the condition of a system can 
> change without suffering an increase in entropy. In order for this 
> to occur, the system must be initially in a state of thermodynamic 
> equilibrium. It then can, in principle, undergo spontaneous changes 
> to other states which have the same entropy. (Note that I have added 
> a constraint to your question which, I expect, you failed to 
> mention. If not, then of course any reversible adiabatic process 
> carried out an the system will be isentropic.)
>
> An simple instance of such a change which might be observable would 
> be in a system of solid crystals of a pure substance in contact with 
> a saturated solution of the same material. The configuration of the 
> crystals will change over time - spontaneously - without incurring a 
> ticket for violation of the Second Law.
>
> Leigh
>
> On 14 Mar 2010, at 09:00, phys-l-request@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu wrote:
>
> >  Is there a situation where the condition of a body or system experiences a
> >  change without an increase in entropy -Assuming you are going to count any
> >  changes in the surroundings as well? If so, what would it be?
> >  -Tony
>
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l