Question

The illustration shows possible arrangements of atoms in a solid. List them in order from most to least entropy.

An illustration shows an arrangement of molecules for crystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous forms of a substance.

Source: Nasky. Shutterstock

(1 point)
Responses

Crystalline, Amorphous, Polycrystalline
Crystalline, Amorphous, Polycrystalline

They have the same number of particles and so the same entropy.
They have the same number of particles and so the same entropy.

Crystalline, Polycrystalline, Amorphous
Crystalline, Polycrystalline, Amorphous

Amorphous, Polycrystalline, Crystalline

Answer 1

In terms of entropy, the order from most to least entropy for the arrangements of atoms in a solid would be:

**Amorphous, Polycrystalline, Crystalline**

Here's the reasoning:

1. **Amorphous solids** have a disordered structure, which allows for more freedom of movement and arrangement of particles, leading to higher entropy.

2. **Polycrystalline solids** consist of many small crystals or grains, which introduces some order but also has more disorder compared to a single crystal. This gives it lower entropy than amorphous solids but higher entropy than crystalline solids.

3. **Crystalline solids** have a highly ordered and repeating arrangement of atoms, which restricts the movement of particles and results in the lowest entropy among the three.

Therefore, the correct order from most to least entropy is **Amorphous, Polycrystalline, Crystalline**.