Download The second law of thermodynamics states that energy has the

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.