3 ms·
> That’s how we say that e.g. hydrogen atoms are indistinguishable. It’s not that they become indistinguishable because we decide so. It’s because we can calcul
by UltraSane 2y ago
> That’s how we say that e.g. hydrogen atoms are indistinguishable. It’s not that they become indistinguishable because we decide so. It’s because we can calculate entropy in both cases and reality does not match the model with distinguishable atoms.
How does using isotopes that allow atoms to be distinguished affect entropy?
- foobarbecue 2y agoAdd more particles, get more possible states. Hydrogen is a proton and an electron. Deuterium adds a neutron. More possible states means more entropy, assuming your knowledge of the system stayed constant.