PPT Slide

The Molecular Interpretation of Entropy

• Energy is required to get a molecule to translate, vibrate or rotate.

• The more energy stored in translation, vibration and rotation, the greater the degrees of freedom and the higher the entropy.

• In a perfect crystal at 0 K there is no translation, rotation or vibration of molecules. Therefore, this is a state of perfect order.

• The Third Law of Thermodynamics: the entropy of a perfect crystal at 0 K is zero.

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