Find an expression for the entropy gain when hot and cold water are irreversibly mixed. A corresponding reversible process you can use to calculate this change is to bring each water sample slowly to their common final temperature \(T_{\mathrm{f}}\) and then mix them. Express your answer in terms of the initial temperatures \(T_{\mathrm{h}}\) and \(T_{\mathrm{c}} .\) Assume equal masses of hot and cold water, with constant specific heat \(c .\) What's the sign of your answer?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The total entropy gain for the irreversible process of mixing hot and cold water can be calculated using the formula: \( \Delta S_{\mathrm{total}} = c \ln{\frac{T_{\mathrm{f}}}{T_{\mathrm{h}}}} + c \ln{\frac{T_{\mathrm{f}}}{T_{\mathrm{c}}}} \). The sign of the entropy gain is positive, indicating an increase in disorder.

Step by step solution

01

Calculate Entropy Change for the Cooling Process

To find the entropy change, ΔS, for the cooling process of hot water, we use the following expression: \( \Delta S_{\mathrm{h}} = c \ln{\frac{T_{\mathrm{f}}}{T_{\mathrm{h}}}} \) Here, \( T_{\mathrm{h}} \) is the initial temperature of hot water, \( T_{\mathrm{f}} \) is the final common temperature and c is the specific heat. We must ensure that all temperatures are measured in Kelvin.
02

Calculate Entropy Change for the Heating Process

Next, we calculate the entropy change, ΔS, for the heating process of cool water using the following expression: \( \Delta S_{\mathrm{c}} = c \ln{\frac{T_{\mathrm{f}}}{T_{\mathrm{c}}}} \) Here, \( T_{\mathrm{c}} \) is the initial temperature of cold water.
03

Calculate Total Entropy Gain

The total entropy gain for this irreversible process of mixing is the sum of the entropy changes due to cooling of hot water and heating of cold water: \( \Delta S_{\mathrm{total}} = \Delta S_{\mathrm{h}} + \Delta S_{\mathrm{c}} \).
04

Interpret the Sign of the Answer

The sign of the total entropy gain, ΔS, can be positive, negative or zero. If ΔS is positive, the disorder of the system is increased; if ΔS is negative, the order of the system is increased; if ΔS equals zero, there is no change in the order or disorder of the system. In this case, because heat is transferred from a high temperature source (hot water) to a low temperature source (cold water), the total entropy gain would be positive, reflecting an increase in disorder.

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