In which example is the entropy of the initial state greater than the entropy of the final state? 1. A building collapses during an earthquake. 2. Liquid water evaporates. 3. A lump of sugar dissolves in a cup of warm water. 4. Liquid water freezes into ice.

The correct option is;

4. Liquid water freezes into ice.

Explanation:

The entropy of an object is an indication of the amount of energy in the that is not available to perform work. It is also defined as the level of randomness or uncertainty that is a measure of the number of possible ways the particles in a system can be arranged.

Entropy is ascribed to the count of microscopic configurations that mirrors the macroscopic  aggregations the system is known for.

Examples of entropy increasing, increasing disorder/randomness of particles of the system, are as follows.

1. Camp fire where burning of firewood turns the solid wood into ash dust, gases and smoke, spreading more energy than the solid wood by itself.

2. Melting of ice

3. Dissolution of sugar

4. Popcorn production from corn

5. Boiling water.