Entropy: The Effects of Distinguishability

John P. Lowe
Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802
J. N. Spencer
Department of Chemistry, Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, PA 17604
J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80 (12), p 1417
DOI: 10.1021/ed080p1417
Publication Date (Web): December 1, 2003

Abstract

The effects of distinguishability on entropy changes are important but often unrecognized except in obvious situations such as Gibbs' paradox. Distinguishability effects are explored, and a new term, "cohort', is defined and used to provide a clearer understanding of the factors that contribute to entropy changes. Although entropy change is independent of choice of path, the explanation for the entropy change does depend on the process selected to get from the initial to the final state. Certain processes for which nothing appears to happen are shown to involve a subtle cancellation of factors at the microscopic level. Entropy of mixing is demonstrated to be a misleading term. The role of distinguishability in the entropy change produced in the mixing of liquids is discussed.

Keywords (Audience):

Upper-Division Undergraduate

Keywords (Domain):

Physical Chemistry

Keywords (Subject):

Gases
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History

  • Received: August 03, 2009

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