2
$\begingroup$

If you put a object in contact with a heat reservoir that is infinitesimally higher in temperature than the object and allow equilibrium to be reached the entropy change is zero right?

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

When talking about infinitesimals, you need to specify how close to zero it is. The entropy loss is $\delta Q\over T$ and the gain is $\delta Q \over T-\delta T$, so the net gain is $\delta Q \delta T \over T^2$ to leading infinitesimal order, and it vanishes linearly in $\delta T$ and $\delta Q$ both.

For iterated infinitesimal processes that approximate a path in state space, the entropy gain will zero when you compose it from many nearly-reversible paths, so in this sense, the entropy gain is zero.

$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.