The Second Law of Thermodynamics

The second law of thermodynamics also known as the law of entropy is a measure of disorder in the universe and the availability of the energy in a system to do work. Although, these two ideas may not visually have anything to do with one another, they actually are to be explained simultaneously in order to fully grasp the idea of the law of entropy. It has been stated that the more disordered a closed system is, the closer it is to equilibrium. Equilibrium is reached when the energy inputted is equal to the energy outputted. For example, if one was to take an elastic band, when it is stretched its entropy is zero, but when it is loose the entropy is said to be higher. Although this may not make sense to the naked eye, if one were to analyze a rubber band, it would make sense. When an elastic band is stretched, the crystals are lined up (ordered). When an elastic band is in its loose positions, the crystals go all over the place (disorder). Hence this shows that entropy is higher when the elastic band is loose (disordered).

Entropy is a measure of the amount of energy that is not available for work, or the distribution of energy in a system. An example of when entropy increases is as heat moves from a hot area to a cold area, there is a more even distribution of heat (energy) in the surrounding (system). It is also legitimate to stay that the heat become more disordered, as it was dispersed over a larger areas.