State Functions and Entropy
If Z is a state function then the balance of Z remains unchanged during a cyclic process:
- .
Entropy is a state function and is defined as
so that
- ,
then it is clear that for any cyclic process,
meaning that the net entropy change over a cycle is 0.
Read more about this topic: Thermodynamic Cycle
Famous quotes containing the words state, functions and/or entropy:
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“Just as the constant increase of entropy is the basic law of the universe, so it is the basic law of life to be ever more highly structured and to struggle against entropy.”
—Václav Havel (b. 1936)