relation between entropy and thermodynamic probability
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section on atoms, molecules and probability has shown that if we want to predict whether a chemical change is spontaneous or not, we must find some general way of determining whether the final state is more probable than the initial. This can be done using a number W, called the thermodynamic probability. W is defined as the number of alternative microscopic arrangements which correspond to the same macroscopic state. The significance of this definition becomes more apparent once we have considered a few examples.
Figure 16.4.116.4.1 a illustrates a crystal consisting of only eight atoms at the absolute zero of temperature. Suppose that the temperature is raised slightly by supplying just enough energy to set one of the atoms in the crystal vibrating. There are eight possible ways of doing this, since we could supply the energy to any one of the eight atoms. All eight possibilities are shown in Fig. 16.4.116.4.1 b.
Figure 16.4.116.4.1 a illustrates a crystal consisting of only eight atoms at the absolute zero of temperature. Suppose that the temperature is raised slightly by supplying just enough energy to set one of the atoms in the crystal vibrating. There are eight possible ways of doing this, since we could supply the energy to any one of the eight atoms. All eight possibilities are shown in Fig. 16.4.116.4.1 b.
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