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IB Physics HL B 4 8 Hl Local Entropy Decrease Questions

Analyse HL cases where a system’s entropy decreases locally, explaining compensating entropy changes in the surroundings and the required increase for the universe.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Physics HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • Identify when the entropy of a local system decreases during cooling or compression and describe the process causing that decrease.
  • Explain why the surroundings gain at least as much entropy, so the entropy of the combined isolated whole does not decrease.
  • Apply the second law to decide whether a local entropy decrease violates thermodynamics in a room, gas or other non-isolated system.

Learn this topic

Study B.4.8 (HL)—Local entropy decrease conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

IB Physics HL B 4 8 Hl Local Entropy Decrease Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

A gas is compressed at constant temperature.

What are the changes in entropy of the gas and its surroundings during the compression?

Entropy of the gas

Entropy of surroundings

Increases

Increases

Increases

Decreases

Decreases

Increases

Decreases

Decreases

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