In general chemistry, which word or phrase best describes entropy?

• A. A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a sample
• B. A measure of the dispersal of energy (and matter) among the available microstates of a system
• C. The heat transferred to a system during any process
• D. The total energy contained in a system at constant pressure

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that entropy is a thermodynamic property related to the disorder or randomness in a system.
2. Recall that entropy quantifies how energy and matter are distributed or dispersed among the possible microscopic configurations (microstates) of a system.
3. Recognize that entropy is not a measure of kinetic energy, heat transfer, or total energy, but rather a measure of the number of ways energy can be arranged.
4. Connect the concept of entropy to the idea that systems tend to move toward states with higher entropy, meaning greater dispersal of energy and matter.
5. Conclude that the best description of entropy is 'a measure of the dispersal of energy (and matter) among the available microstates of a system.'