AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The word entropy is used in several different ways in English, but it always refers to some notion of randomness, disorder, or uncertainty. For example, in physics the term is a measure of a system’s thermal energy, which is related to the level of random motion of molecules and hence is a measure of disorder.

Detailed explanation-2: -The more energy that is lost by a system to its surroundings, the less ordered and more random the system is. Scientists refer to the measure of randomness or disorder within a system as entropy. High entropy means high disorder and low energy (Figure 1). To better understand entropy, think of a student’s bedroom.

Detailed explanation-3: -Noun. 1. randomness-(thermodynamics) a thermodynamic quantity representing the amount of energy in a system that is no longer available for doing mechanical work; “entropy increases as matter and energy in the universe degrade to an ultimate state of inert uniformity"

Detailed explanation-4: -Therefore, entropy is a measure of thermal disorder or thermal randomness in a system.

Detailed explanation-5: -"The degree of randomness or disorder in a system is known as entropy.