What does entropy measure in thermodynamics?

Entropy is a central concept in thermodynamics that quantifies the degree of disorder or randomness in a system. It reflects the number of ways a given state can be arranged, which is closely related to the levels of energy dispersal within a system. A higher entropy value indicates a greater level of disorder and a higher probability of various microscopic configurations. This means that systems tend to move towards states with higher entropy, which is a key principle of the second law of thermodynamics, stating that the total entropy of an isolated system can never decrease over time.

The other choices focus on aspects that are not specifically aligned with the concept of entropy. Energy stored in chemical bonds pertains to enthalpy rather than disorder. Temperature at equilibrium relates to the kinetic energy of particles but does not directly express the randomness of a system. Lastly, the volume of gas produced during a reaction is a physical measurement not indicative of the disordered state of a system. Therefore, understanding entropy is essential for grasping how systems evolve toward equilibrium and how energy transformations occur in chemical processes.