A microstate is a specific, detailed configuration of a system at the molecular level that corresponds to a particular macroscopic state. Each microstate represents one possible arrangement of particles and their energies within the system.
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A single macroscopic state can correspond to many different microstates.
The number of microstates is critical for determining the entropy of a system.
Increasing the number of microstates generally increases the entropy.
Entropy ($S$) is related to the number of microstates ($\Omega$) by Boltzmann's equation: $S = k_B \ln \Omega$, where $k_B$ is Boltzmann's constant.
Microstates help explain the statistical interpretation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that systems tend to evolve towards configurations with higher probabilities (more microstates).
Review Questions
What is the relationship between a macroscopic state and its corresponding microstates?
How does an increase in the number of microstates affect entropy?
What role do microstates play in explaining the Second Law of Thermodynamics?
Related terms
Macroscopic State: A description of a system using averaged properties like temperature, pressure, and volume, rather than detailed molecular configurations.