In a spontaneous process, the entropy of the universe ________
A)always increases.
B)always decreases.
C)does not change.
D)may decrease if the entropy of the system decreases sufficiently.
E)may decrease if the entropy of the system increases sufficiently.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This is known as the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that in any spontaneous process, the overall entropy of the universe always increases. Entropy is a measure of the degree of disorder or randomness in a system, and spontaneous processes tend to increase the degree of disorder, leading to an increase in entropy. This is why it is so difficult to reverse certain natural processes, such as the diffusion of a gas or the melting of an ice cube - they involve an increase in entropy, which is energetically favored.

In a Spontaneous Process, the Entropy of the Universe ________