Probably depends on mark amount how much you need to actually analyse but these are some ideas.
- Define entropy to start off with --> entropy is a thermodynamics quantity which measure of the disorder or randomness of a system. The entropy of the universe overall is increasing (deltaS universe > 0)
- need to provide at least one way in which the model displays entropy
- It shows that an ordered object overtime has become more disordered which links to the gradual increase in entropy of the universe. This is because when the particles are in the word they are fixed in position and can only vibrate, but once they dissolve away the possible arrangements of the particles you can make has increased.
- This could be seen as modelling the increase in entropy seen as you move from a solid to liquid to gas
- Now if you're smart here you will try to link it to one of the examples in your syllabus and a chemical equation because you should ALWAYS try to put one in your answer to every question For example, write a combustion reaction for ethanol: C2H5OH(l) + 3O2(g) --> 2CO2(g) + 3H2O(l). We can see similar to our diagram that we have had an increase in entropy between we started off with less particles and made more particles in the end (4 particles against 5 on the right)
- need to provide at least one way in which the model has limitations (because all models do as they oversimplify complex ideas)
- Models are designed to simplify complex ideas into easier to understand mediums so as to convey the main portion of the overall effect of that phenomenon. However, due to this there will be limitations in terms of their usefulness in all scenarios
- For example, your model doesn't take into account that not all chemical processes lead to increases in entropy (now link back to what I was saying before talk about an example in your syllabus that doesn't agree). Easiest one is probably photosynthesis: 6CO2(g) + 6H2O(l) --> c6h12o6(aq) + 6O2(g). Here entropy has decreased because you went from 12 particles to 7
- Your question says assess so you need to give a judgement saying if its effective or not
- Could be something like: it conveys the main idea that the entropy of the universe is increasing, however, neglects that within this there are processes that sometimes increase entropy and others that decrease entropy. Although, there are these limitations it is an effective model in terms of convey the main idea of entropy
