It has been observed that the entropy change is proportional to the heat transfer in a reversible process (at constant temperature). The entropy change is material-independent and process-dependent, as certain processes are irreversible or impossible. Instead of some form of “absolute entropy,” physicists study the change in entropy that occurs in a specific thermodynamic process. Referred to by Scottish scientist and engineer Macquorn Rankine in 1850, the concept of thermodynamics was named in a variety of different ways, such as thermodynamic function and heat potential. Located under thermodynamics, this concept deals with the transfer of heat energy within a system.Įntropy is pivotal and plays a key role in the second law of thermodynamics. Heat capacity measures the difference in temperature of an object or material when energy is absorbed or imparted by the material. Ω = number of microscopic configurations What is Heat Capacity?

Entropy is calculated as the cumulative filling of energy destinations between absolute zero (motionless) and a given temperature. Relation Heat capacity is the rate of change of entropy with temperature. However, entropy can be expressed using relative values. Value An absolute value of heat capacity can be determined via experimentation The absolute value of entropy cannot be determined. Independent of any object or material, most processes are, however, irreversible, making them process-dependent. Dependency Both material and process-dependent, it measures the change in temperature of the object and can be both reversible and irreversible. It is the counting of the specific systems that a material can be found under, given the known thermodynamic parameters. This change is a result of the energy absorbed.

Comparison Table Parameters of Comparison Heat Capacity Entropy Meaning It refers to the change in the temperature of an object. Entropy is widely used to analyze common phenomena. The concept of entropy helps study the direction of spontaneous change. It is a scientific concept used in calculating and observing the uncertainty, disorder, randomness, or chaos seen in a system.

Entropy vs enthalpy