Final answer:
Entropy is the measure of the randomness or disorder in a system, with greater disorder correlating to higher entropy. It signifies the distribution of thermal energy among molecules and is a key concept in thermodynamics, indicating the natural tendency towards increased disorder unless energy is input into the system. The correct answer is 1) Entropy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Entropy is a measure of the randomness or disorder of a system. This concept is commonly referred to within the context of thermodynamics. Gases exhibit higher entropy than liquids, and liquids have higher entropy than solids because the particles in a gas are more spread out and move more freely compared to particles in liquids and solids.
In daily life, an example of entropy can be seen in how a clean and organized room gradually becomes more disordered over time, signifying an increase in entropy.
The second law of thermodynamics points out that entropy tends to increase in a physical system, meaning that without an input of energy, things naturally tend to become more disordered.
Entropy is not just a measure of macroscopic 'disorder'; it's a specific concept that applies to the energy and organization at the molecular level, relating to how thermal energy is distributed among the molecules in a system.
Check Your Understanding: Entropy is a measure of the disorder of a system, making option (1) the correct answer. It represents the reduced availability of energy to do work as a system evolves towards equilibrium.