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Entropy and Probability in Systems

The document contains an 8 question assignment on concepts of entropy, potential energy, and temperature. Question 1 asks about the entropy of an isolated system at equilibrium, with the answer being it increases to a maximum. Question 2 asks which statement about macrostates and microstates is true, with the answer being a given macrostate typically corresponds to many microstates. Question 3 asks to calculate the entropy of a hand of cards, with the answer being 18.95.

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NiKhil Shinde
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26 views2 pages

Entropy and Probability in Systems

The document contains an 8 question assignment on concepts of entropy, potential energy, and temperature. Question 1 asks about the entropy of an isolated system at equilibrium, with the answer being it increases to a maximum. Question 2 asks which statement about macrostates and microstates is true, with the answer being a given macrostate typically corresponds to many microstates. Question 3 asks to calculate the entropy of a hand of cards, with the answer being 18.95.

Uploaded by

NiKhil Shinde
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Assignment 1

1. The entropy of an isolated system always. . . . . . and becomes a . . . . . . at the state of equilibrium.

(a) decreases, minimum


(b) increases, maximum
(c) increases, minimum
(d) decreases, maximum

Soln: increase, maximum

2. Which of the following statements is true

(a) A given macrostate typically corresponds to a huge number of microstates


(b) A given macrostate always has exactly one microstate
(c) Entropy is a function of the microstates of the system
(d) Different microstates always correspond to different macrostates

Soln: A given macrostate typically corresponds to a huge number of microstates

3. From a standard deck of cards if you have a hand of 8 cards, 5 of which are black, calculate the
entropy of the system

(a) 15.25
(b) 27.89
(c) 76.50
(d) 18.95

Soln: 18.95

4. Alice has 3 black and 3 red cards in hand picked from a standard deck of 52 cards, while Bob
has 4 black and 2 red cards also from a standard deck of [Link] hand of cards has a higher
entropy?

(a) Alice
(b) Bob
(c) Both have same entropy
(d) Cannot be determined

Soln: Alice

5. Consider a case where there are 3 steps in a staircase all with with equal height h and there are 3
different people on the staircase with equal weights w. How many ways can the potential energy
be 8wh

(a) 6
(b) 3
(c) 1
(d) 7

Soln: 3

6. For the same system as the above question what value of the potential energy will have the
maximum possible ways of occurence
1
(a) 3wh
(b) 9wh
(c) 6wh
(d) 4wh

Soln: 6wh

7. Consider a staircase with 3 steps and 3 identical marbles arranged on them. The steps are of
height h and marbles are of weight [Link] many ways can the potential energy be 6wh

(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 7
(d) 5

Soln: 2

8. For a system of marbles on an endless staircase there can be cases of negative temperature

(a) True
(b) False

Soln: False

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