Entropy

The entropy, S, is defined by

$\left.S\right.=k_{B}\ln \Omega$

where $k_{B}$ is the Boltzmann constant and $\Omega$ (sometimes written as $W$) is the number of microscopic configurations that result in the observed macroscopic description of the thermodynamic system. This equation provides a link between classical thermodynamics and statistical mechanics

Arrow of time

• Milan M. Ćirković "The Thermodynamical Arrow of Time: Reinterpreting the Boltzmann–Schuetz Argument", Foundations of Physics 33 pp. 467-490 (2003)
• Joel L. Lebowitz "Boltzmann's Entropy and Time's Arrow", Physics Today 46 pp. 32-38 (1993)

See also:

• Entropy of a glass
• Shannon entropy
• Tsallis entropy

Interesting reading

• S. F. Gull "Some Misconceptions about Entropy" in Brian Buck and Vincent A. MacAulay (Eds.) "Maximum Entropy in Action", Oxford Science Publications (1991)

References

1. William G. Hoover "Entropy for Small Classical Crystals", Journal of Chemical Physics 49 pp. 1981-1982 (1968)