Entropy, Microstates, and Probability - Interactive Lecture Demonstration Guide A gold star indicates high-quality, inquiry-based activities that follow the PhET design guidelines.



Title Entropy, Microstates, and Probability - Interactive Lecture Demonstration Guide
Description This Interactive Lecture Demonstration Guide has the following goals. Students will be able to: • Explain a spontaneous process – such as air rushing in to an evacuated chamber – using particle motion at the molecular level. • Distinguish between spontaneous and non-spontaneous processes, and connect these to a probabilistic description of matter. • Explain how a large number of microstates can produce the same macro-state. • Perform calculations involving probability. • Use particle motion and probability to explain heat transfer.
Subject Chemistry
Level Undergrad - Intro
Type Demonstration
Duration 60 minutes
Answers Included No
Language English
Keywords 2nd Law of Thermodynamics, Boltzmann, Entropy, Microstates, Spontaneous and Non-Spontaneous Processes
Simulation(s) Reversible Reactions

Author(s) Ted Clark, Julia Chamberlain
Contact Email phethelp@colorado.edu
School / Organization PhET
Date submitted 11/2/14
Date updated 6/8/15