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Entropy definitions

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  • Entropy
    Quantifies the degree of randomness or disorder in a system, with higher values indicating greater disorganization.
  • Thermodynamics
    Scientific study of energy, heat, and matter flows and changes in reactions and living organisms.
  • System
    Local portion of the universe under study, such as a cell or a specific chemical reaction.
  • Surroundings
    Everything outside the system, representing the rest of the universe in thermodynamic analysis.
  • Open System
    Type of system that exchanges both mass and energy with its surroundings, typical of living cells.
  • Biological System
    Living entity, like a cell, that operates as an open system, exchanging energy and matter with its environment.
  • Universal Entropy
    Overall disorder of the universe, which always increases according to the second law of thermodynamics.
  • Local Entropy
    Disorder within a specific system, which can decrease even as universal entropy increases.
  • Gibbs Free Energy
    Amount of energy in a system available to perform work, calculated using enthalpy, entropy, and temperature.
  • Enthalpy
    Total energy content of a system, including energy stored in chemical bonds of molecules and compounds.
  • Temperature
    Physical quantity measured in Kelvin for thermodynamic calculations, affecting entropy and free energy.
  • Kelvin
    Absolute temperature scale used in thermodynamics, calculated by adding 273.15 to Celsius values.
  • Second Law of Thermodynamics
    Principle stating that universal entropy always increases, even if local entropy decreases.
  • Free Energy
    Subset of total energy in a system that can be harnessed to change concentrations or perform work.
  • Delta
    Greek symbol representing the change in a quantity, calculated as final minus initial values.