entropy
die Entropie, die Entropien
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entropy
A physical quantity that describes how widely energy is distributed in a system and how many different states are possible within it. In an isolated system, entropy usually increases during natural processes.
Nach dem Mischen von zwei Flüssigkeiten ist die Entropie des Systems größer.
After two liquids are mixed, the entropy of the system is greater.
entropy
In information theory, a measure of how uncertain or unpredictable a message or a random process is.
Eine Nachricht mit vielen gleich wahrscheinlichen Zeichen hat eine hohe Entropie.
A message with many equally likely symbols has high entropy.
entropy
Figuratively, a measure of disorder, confusion, or lack of structure in a system.
In dem ungeordneten Archiv herrschte eine beträchtliche Entropie.
There was considerable entropy in the disorganized archive.
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Entropien |
| genitive | der Entropie |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Entropie | die Entropien |
| accusative | die Entropie | die Entropien |
| dative | der Entropie | den Entropien |
| genitive | der Entropie | der Entropien |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
The intended meaning can usually be identified by the subject area: words such as 'System' (system), 'Wärme' (heat), or 'Gleichgewicht' (equilibrium) point to physics, while 'Nachricht' (message), 'Zeichen' (symbol), or 'Wahrscheinlichkeit' (probability) point to information theory. In texts about order, chaos, or organization, 'Entropie' (entropy) is often used figuratively.
In der Thermodynamik wird die Entropie eines abgeschlossenen Systems untersucht.
In thermodynamics, the entropy of an isolated system is studied.
Die Entropie der Datenquelle lässt sich aus den Wahrscheinlichkeiten der Zeichen berechnen.
The entropy of the data source can be calculated from the probabilities of the symbols.
Mit der Zeit nahm die Entropie in der Abteilung immer weiter zu.
Over time, entropy in the department kept increasing.
In physics texts, 'Entropie' (entropy) frequently occurs with verbs and phrases such as 'zunehmen' (to increase), 'abnehmen' (to decrease), 'berechnen' (to calculate), and 'die Entropie eines Systems' (the entropy of a system). Changes in entropy are particularly common topics.
Bei der Ausdehnung des Gases nimmt die Entropie des Systems zu.
As the gas expands, the entropy of the system increases.
In information theory, compounds and phrases such as 'Informationsentropie' (information entropy), 'Entropie einer Quelle' (entropy of a source), and 'hohe Entropie' (high entropy) are common. The discussion often concerns the probabilities of symbols or events.
Die Entropie der Quelle ist hoch, weil mehrere Zeichen fast gleich wahrscheinlich sind.
The entropy of the source is high because several symbols are almost equally likely.
The figurative meaning appears particularly in factual texts about archives, data, organizations, or social systems. In this usage, 'Entropie' (entropy) is often combined with modifiers such as 'steigende' (increasing), 'hohe' (high), or 'geringe' (low).
Durch die vielen ungeordneten Dateien stieg die Entropie des Archivs deutlich an.
The many disorganized files caused the entropy of the archive to increase significantly.
disorder
When an organization loses its clear structure, “Unordnung” is the neutral term. “Entropie” can describe the same loss of structure figuratively, but sounds deliberately technical or humorous. In everyday conversation, “Unordnung” is usually appropriate; “Entropie” is a more striking choice.
Mit jedem Wechsel der Zuständigkeiten nimmt die Entropie in unserer Abteilung zu, scherzt meine Kollegin.
“With every change in responsibilities, the entropy in our department increases,” my colleague jokes.
Mit jedem Wechsel der Zuständigkeiten nimmt die Unordnung in unserer Abteilung zu.
With every change in responsibilities, the disorder in our department increases.
