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The second law of thermodynamics states that energy has the tendency to disperse unless it is inhibited from doing so. The reason the second law is essential to the understanding of entropy is because it explains its basics. However, entropy is loosely defined as the disorder (and order) in a particular system or process. It studies the fluctuation - slowing, cooling, heating, and exhaustion - that occurs in natural processes. Since scientifically, the term "entropy" is quite loosely defined, here are five examples of entropy to aid in your understanding of one of the most important scientific concepts. Heating and Cooling of Water In order to heat water, it needs to be exposed to heat energy for some time. This energy is transferred to the particles in water, gradually causing them to vibrate at a faster rate. Additionally, the particles' motion also increases in speed; they begin to zoom across the container in a random and disorderly manner. The change in how the particles move and vibrate causes the temperature of the water to increase. However, the opposite of this behavior is also observed when the water is no longer exposed to heat energy. The particles gradually decrease in speed and the intensity of vibration becomes smaller. As a result, the water cools down with time. Electrons in Atomic Shells Electrons would actually escape from their atomic shells if they could. However, the nucleus of the atom ensures that electrons continuously revolve around it. This is due to the fact that electrons are negatively charged, while the nucleus is positively charged, they attract each other and the atom remains intact. However, if the nucleus were to be extracted from the atom, the electrons would definitely zoom out of their shells and disperse into their surroundings. Life and Death Believe it or not, a prevalent example of entropy is the life cycle of animals. After you are born, your body slowly begins to grow larger, stronger, and more able with time. However, this does not remain the case. After some time, the body becomes weaker, bones turn brittle, and you become less competent in living daily human life. This shows how ultimately, an animal's body is gradually exhausted until death takes place. Climate Change You have probably been made aware of global warming, a rise in the Earth's climate that is expected to occur in the near future. However, climate change has been a natural phenomenon ever since the Earth came into existence. An earlier example is the ice age. It took place at the end of the Mesozoic era (when dinosaurs went extinct) and lasted approximately 110,000 years. Global warming, on the other hand, will mean that the earth's climate is about to raise above the norm as opposed to the ice age. The Sun's Exhaustion The sun is like any other star; it goes through a life cycle. As a result, its energy is by no means infinite. The sun runs on fuel consistent predominantly of hydrogen that burns at its core. However, this supply of hydrogen will someday deplete, which means the sun will no longer be able to produce heat. Also, gravity will no longer be able to support it, causing the sun to expand into a fiery ball of gas called a red giant. Ultimately, this energy will disperse across space until it gradually transforms into a white dwarf. As you can see, entropy is, in fact, a massive part of life in our universe. From the temperature of water to the state our sun exists in, entropy seems to be detrimental to all of it. As a result, it is important to study and understand entropy so that it is easier to understand our surroundings and how and why things came to be the way they are. Hopefully, the examples above clarified the definition of entropy and what a critical scientific concept it actually is.