For each of the following processes, specify whether entropy increases or decreases. Explain each of your answers. Assembling a jigsaw puzzle

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1. Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system.
2. When a jigsaw puzzle is assembled, the pieces are organized from a disordered state to an ordered state.
3. In thermodynamic terms, moving from disorder to order results in a decrease in entropy.
4. Therefore, as you assemble a jigsaw puzzle, the entropy of the system decreases.
5. This is because the final assembled puzzle represents a more ordered state compared to the scattered pieces.

Key Concepts

Entropy

Entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system. In thermodynamics, it quantifies the number of microscopic configurations that correspond to a thermodynamic system's macroscopic state. Higher entropy indicates greater disorder, while lower entropy suggests more order. Understanding entropy is crucial for analyzing processes in terms of energy dispersal and system organization.

Order vs. Disorder

The concepts of order and disorder are fundamental to understanding entropy changes in processes. Assembling a jigsaw puzzle involves organizing scattered pieces into a coherent whole, which represents an increase in order. This transition from a disordered state (scattered pieces) to an ordered state (completed puzzle) is essential for determining how entropy behaves in this context.

Second Law of Thermodynamics

The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that in an isolated system, the total entropy can never decrease over time. It implies that natural processes tend to move towards a state of maximum disorder. In the case of assembling a jigsaw puzzle, while the local entropy decreases as pieces are organized, the overall entropy of the universe increases due to the energy expended in the process, illustrating the law's principles.