A better description of entropy

I use this stirling engine to explain entropy. Entropy is normally described as a measure of disorder but I don't think that's helpful. Here's a better description.

[gordonx.frohman]

The reason that train isn't moving is because the driver wants to postpone the heat death of the universe by not increasing entropy.

[brajaybr]

Sir, you are a huge clump of energy and enthusiasm!

[evilferris]

This particular way of describing entropy is why you always find your earbud cords always tangled up: *there’s only 1 way* to have the cords straight and untangled but, as you jostle them around in your pocket or backpack, *there’s a myriad of ways* for them to become tangled.

[jenibluere]

First watched this video when I was in high school, found it absolutely fascinating and was at a time in my life where videos like yours were interesting me into pursuing STEM education.
Now, years later, doing my MEng degree and learning about thermodynamics, stirling engines, etc in university, so I came back here to recap (you explained it a lot better than my lecturer). Thank you for your contribution to the educations of myself and so many others <3

[phampton]

Entropy increases and so does my understanding of entropy, thanks to this video!

[angeloncollins]

I'm an Aerospace Engineer, studied at the University of Maryland.  This is by far the best explanation of Entropy I've ever heard.  You get into another level of complexity when solving for Entropy (S) as a function of heat transfer (Q) and absolute temperature (T), but having this foundational understanding gives context to really comprehend your solution.  Good stuff!

[verotaylor]

I want someone to look at me the way Steve looks at his Stirling engine

[TheClearsky]

I have a degree in mechanical engineering from a respectable university. I did thousands of thermodinamical calculations using entropy. Yet, you helped me understand entropy better... thank you!

[regular-joe]

I finally understand, after so many videos and articles - now, the clumped energy of my frustration has been dispersed! Thank you!

[ruchirrawat]

This is the most intuitive video on thermodynamics I've ever watched. Thank you for finally making me understand what entropy is : )

[kaylaevans]

What I came for: better understanding of entropy
What I left with: existential anxiety about the heat death of the universe

[philliparab]

This really bridged the gap for me between the statistical “ping pong ball” analogies ive heard, and the teachings of physically irreversible processes when describing entropy. Great video!

[MurtuzaBookwala]

05:27 to 06:10 bookmark for myself to keep revisiting the definition

[sergiorodriguezcabezas]

I watch this video before and after my thermodynamics class. Now I understand the video better but I have to say that you explain better than my professor!

[TurdFurgeson]

"An argument can be made that time is itself a statistical phenomenon."


You're just gonna leave it there? Please go on. Seriously. Help. Go on. Tell me more.

[SC-rbjr]

You make complex subjects simple and fascinating . I can’t ask for more than that.

[siddhantchaudhari]

As far as I know, out of all entropy videos, only this one mentions why the concept of entropy was introduced and gives a clear reason as to why entropy always increases. You are doing god's work my man. AWESOME explanation. :)

[farvision]

"Entropy is a measure of how spread out your energy is." PERFECT!

[ronstoppable]

I've always disliked "disorder" as a description for entropy, When energy distribution is homogenized, with everything spread out evenly, that's about as orderly as anything can get.

[jackaddie]

Thank you so much for this video Steve! Studying thermodynamics at uni right now, and this video is the ONLY one that I have understood. Physics, nature and our universe is just so beautiful, and your video made that ever more clear to me!