Question

What three things can increase entropy and the number of microstates?

a) Decreasing temperature, decreasing volume, and increasing order
b) Increasing temperature, increasing volume, and increasing order
c) Increasing temperature, decreasing volume, and increasing disorder
d) Decreasing temperature, increasing volume, and decreasing disorder

Answer 1

The three factors that can increase entropy and the number of microstates are increasing temperature, increasing volume, and increasing disorder; the correct choice is option (c).

Step-by-step explanation:

The three things that can increase entropy and the number of microstates are increasing temperature, increasing volume, and increasing disorder. Therefore, the correct answer is (c) increasing temperature, increasing volume, and increasing disorder. Increasing the temperature of a system can lead to greater molecular movement and a higher number of microstates. Similarly, when a system's volume increases, there are more possible positions for particles, thereby increasing the number of microstates. Lastly, increasing disorder allows for a greater variety of microstates because in a disordered system, particles are not fixed in position and can occupy many different states.

When examining phase changes like melting or vaporization, entropy increases because the states from solid to liquid to gas represent a progression of increasing molecular freedom and disorder. Conversely, a decrease in temperature or volume, or an increase in order, would result in lower entropy and fewer microstates.