Suppose we hold a sample of helium gas at a constant temperature while we slowly compress it in a cylinder until its volume has decreased by a factor of 4 . During this process, the gas's entropy
A) increases.
B) decreases.
C) remains the same.
D) Does something else (specify).

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Entropy decreases when a gas is compressed at constant temperature because the gas molecules have less volume to occupy, leading to a decrease in the number of possible microstates and thus a decrease in entropy.

Suppose We Hold a Sample of Helium Gas at a Constant