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Entropy, Disorder, and Freezing

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Brian B. Laird

Department of Chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045

J. Chem. Educ., 1999, 76 (10), p 1388

DOI: 10.1021/ed076p1388

Publication Date (Web): October 1, 1999

Abstract

It is argued that the usual view that entropy is a measure of "disorder" is problematic and that there exist systems at high density, for which packing considerations dominate, where a spatially ordered state has a higher entropy than a disordered one. A classic example is a system of hard-sphere atoms, for which freezing is known to be purely entropy driven. Such a model has relevance to the real world, since it provides a good qualitative (and nearly quantitative) description of solid-liquid coexistence in simple systems such as argon. An analogy based on the packing of suitcases is given to illustrate the main point. A simple classroom demonstration is also described in which an analog simulation of the freezing of hard particles is performed.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Subject):

Phases / Phase Transitions / Diagrams

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Citing Articles

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This article has been cited by 3 ACS Journal articles (3 most recent appear below).

Entropy and the Shelf Model: A Quantum Physical Approach to a Physical Property
Arnd H. Jungermann
Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (11), 1686
- Entropy and the Shelf Model: A Quantum Physical Approach to a Physical Property
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  Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (11), 1686
  In contrast to most other thermodynamic data, entropy values are not given in relation to a certain—more or less arbitrarily defined—zero level. They are listed in standard thermodynamic tables as absolute values of specific substances. Therefore these ...
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Give Them Money: The Boltzmann Game, a Classroom or Laboratory Activity Modeling Entropy Changes and the Distribution of Energy in Chemical Systems
Bridget Michalek , Robert M. Hanson
Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (4), 581
- Give Them Money: The Boltzmann Game, a Classroom or Laboratory Activity Modeling Entropy Changes and the Distribution of Energy in Chemical Systems
  Bridget Michalek , Robert M. Hanson
  Journal of Chemical Education2006 83 (4), 581
  Described here is a short, simple activity we call the "Boltzmann game" that can be used in any high school or college chemistry classroom or lab to explore the way energy is distributed in real chemical systems and as an entry into discussions of the ...
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Disorder - A Cracked Crutch for Supporting Entropy Discussions
Frank L. Lambert
Journal of Chemical Education2002 79 (2), 187
- Disorder - A Cracked Crutch for Supporting Entropy Discussions
  Frank L. Lambert
  Journal of Chemical Education2002 79 (2), 187
  To aid students in visualizing an increase in entropy, many elementary chemistry texts use artists' before-and-after drawings of groups of "orderly" molecules that become "disorderly". This seems to be a useful visual support, but it can be so misleading ...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links