TCE 3

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

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Abstract Volume 4 Issue 6 (1999) pp 211-213

Simple Statistical Calculations of Entropy Changes

Albert Lötz

Institut für Physikalische Chemie, Universität München, Butenandtstr. 11, 81377 Munich, Germany

Published online: 1 December 1999

Abstract. The simple statistical treatment of the temperature equilibration of two two-level systems provides an easily understandable example of changes in entropy during reversible and irreversible processes. This treatment yields the fundamental formula dS = dq_rev/T; thus, it provides a useful link between the classical (macroscopic) and statistical (microscopic) view of thermodynamic processes.

Key Words:  In the Classroom; thermodynamics; physical chemistry; statistical mechanics; second law

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: aloetz@olymp.cup.uni-muenchen.de)

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Issue date: December 1, 1999

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