Which of the following processes leads to a change in entropy of zero for the system undergoing the process?
Non-cyclic isobaric (constant pressure)
Non-cyclic isochoric (constant volume)
Any closed cycle
To determine which of the given processes leads to a change in entropy of zero for the system undergoing the process, let's consider the definition of entropy. Entropy (S) is a measure of the randomness or the number of ways in which particles can be arranged in a system.
For the first process, non-cyclic isobaric, the pressure of the system remains constant during the process. This means that the system can expand or contract, allowing the particles to rearrange themselves. Since the number of available arrangements can change, the entropy of the system can also change. Therefore, non-cyclic isobaric processes do not lead to a change in entropy of zero.
For the second process, non-cyclic isochoric, the volume of the system remains constant during the process. This prevents the particles from rearranging themselves, as there is no space for expansion or contraction. Without any change in the arrangement of particles, the entropy of the system remains constant. Therefore, non-cyclic isochoric processes can lead to a change in entropy of zero.
Lastly, any closed cycle involves a sequence of processes that takes the system back to its initial state. In this case, the initial and final states of the system are the same, meaning that the arrangement of particles remains unchanged throughout the cycle. Since there is no change in the arrangement of particles, the entropy of the system remains constant. Therefore, any closed cycle can lead to a change in entropy of zero.
In conclusion, both the non-cyclic isochoric (constant volume) process and any closed cycle can lead to a change in entropy of zero for the system undergoing the process.