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Chapter 17: Problem 29

Which of the following processes are spontaneous? a. Salt dissolves in \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}\) . b. A clear solution becomes a uniform color after a few drops of dye are added. c. Iron rusts. d. You clean your bedroom.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Processes a (salt dissolves in water), b (a clear solution becomes a uniform color after a few drops of dye are added), and c (iron rusts) are spontaneous. Process d (cleaning your bedroom) is not spontaneous as it requires external energy input.

Step by step solution

01

Process a: Salt dissolves in water

When salt (such as sodium chloride, NaCl) is added to water, it dissolves due to the attraction between the polar water molecules and the ions in the salt crystal. This process is driven by the decrease in Gibbs free energy, which means it is a spontaneous process. So, Process a is spontaneous.
02

Process b: A clear solution becomes a uniform color after a few drops of dye are added

When a few drops of dye are added to a clear solution, the dye molecules spread out evenly throughout the solution due to the random motion of the dye and solvent molecules (a process known as diffusion). This process occurs without the need for any external energy input and is driven by the increase in entropy (disorder) of the system. So, Process b is spontaneous.
03

Process c: Iron rusts

Rusting of iron is an oxidation process that occurs when iron comes into contact with oxygen and moisture. The oxidation of iron is spontaneous because it is exothermic (releases heat to the surroundings) and increases the entropy of the system. Iron rusts naturally without any external influence, so Process c is spontaneous.
04

Process d: You clean your bedroom

Cleaning your bedroom requires work and external input of energy (in this case, physical effort). This process does not happen spontaneously, as it requires an external force to be applied to clean the room. So, Process d is not spontaneous. In conclusion, Processes a, b, and c are spontaneous, while Process d is not spontaneous.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

The melting point for carbon diselenide \(\left(\mathrm{CSe}_{2}\right)\) is \(-46^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) . At a temperature of \(-75^{\circ} \mathrm{C},\) predict the signs for \(\Delta S_{\mathrm{surr}}\) and $\Delta S_{\mathrm{univ}}\( for the following process: \)\operatorname{CSe}_{2}(l) \rightarrow \operatorname{CSe}_{2}(s)$

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