The following figures represent distributions of gas molecules between two containers connected by an open tube. In which figure is the entropy of the system maximized?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The entropy of a system increases as it becomes more disordered. In this case, the most disordered distribution is when the gas molecules are evenly distributed between the two containers (equal number of molecules in each container). This is the case in Figure D, where there are 10 molecules in each container. Therefore, the entropy of the system is maximized in Figure D.

The Following Figures Represent Distributions of Gas Molecules Between Two