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Chapter 18: Problem 1

Explain what is meant by a spontaneous process. Give two examples each of spontaneous and nonspontaneous processes.

Short Answer

Expert verified
A spontaneous process is one that can occur without any external influence once started, such as a ball rolling down a hill or ice melting at room temperature. A nonspontaneous process is one that requires input of energy and doesn't occur naturally under the set conditions, such as charging a battery or pumping water uphill.

Step by step solution

01

Define Spontaneous Process

A spontaneous process is a process that, once started, can proceed without any further external influence or input. It is a process that has the potential to occur naturally under a certain set of conditions. Examples include a ball rolling down a hill, ice melting at room temperature, etc._
02

Examples of Spontaneous Processes

1. The melting of ice at room temperature: This process is spontaneous because it can occur naturally without any further external influence, given the conditions are right (i.e., the temperature is above the freezing point of water).\n 2. An apple falling from a tree: This is spontaneous because once the apple is detached from the tree, it will fall to the ground under the influence of gravity without any need for additional energy.
03

Define Nonspontaneous Process

A nonspontaneous process is a process that cannot naturally occur without the input of some form of energy. These types of processes are generally not naturally occurring under the set conditions. Examples might include pumping water uphill, the charging of a battery, etc.
04

Examples of Nonspontaneous Processes

1. The charging of a battery: It requires an external source of electricity, and so it is a nonspontaneous process.\n 2. Pumping water uphill: This process requires an external force (usually provided by a pump) to overcome gravity, so it is nonspontaneous.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

A student looked up the \(\Delta G_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}, \Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}\), and \(S^{\circ}\) values for \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}\) in Appendix 2. Plugging these values into Equation \((18.10),\) he found that \(\Delta G_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ} \neq \Delta H_{\mathrm{f}}^{\circ}-T S^{\circ}\) at \(298 \mathrm{~K}\). What is wrong with his approach?

For reactions carried out under standard-state conditions, Equation (18.10) takes the form \(\Delta G^{\circ}=\Delta H^{\circ}-\) \(T \Delta S^{\circ} .\) (a) Assuming \(\Delta H^{\circ}\) and \(\Delta S^{\circ}\) are independent of temperature, derive the equation $$\ln \frac{K_{2}}{K_{1}}=\frac{\Delta H^{\circ}}{R}\left(\frac{T_{2}-T_{1}}{T_{1} T_{2}}\right)$$ where \(K_{1}\) and \(K_{2}\) are the equilibrium constants at \(T_{1}\) and \(T_{2}\), respectively. (b) Given that at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C} K_{\mathrm{c}}\) is \(4.63 \times 10^{-3}\) for the reaction $$ \mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}(g) \rightleftharpoons 2 \mathrm{NO}_{2}(g) \quad \Delta H^{\circ}=58.0 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol} $$ calculate the equilibrium constant at \(65^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\)

As an approximation, we can assume that proteins exist either in the native (or physiologically functioning) state and the denatured state $$\text { native } \rightleftharpoons \text { denatured }$$ The standard molar enthalpy and entropy of the denaturation of a certain protein are \(512 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\) and \(1.60 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{K} \cdot \mathrm{mol}\), respectively. Comment on the signs and magnitudes of these quantities, and calculate the temperature at which the process favors the denatured state.

Explain the following nursery rhyme in terms of the second law of thermodynamics. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall; Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the King's horses and all the King's men Couldn't put Humpty together again.

(a) Over the years there have been numerous claims about "perpetual motion machines," machines that will produce useful work with no input of energy. Explain why the first law of thermodynamics prohibits the possibility of such a machine existing. (b) Another kind of machine, sometimes called a “perpetual motion of the second kind," operates as follows. Suppose an ocean liner sails by scooping up water from the ocean and then extracting heat from the water, converting the heat to electric power to run the ship, and dumping the water back into the ocean. This process does not violate the first law of thermodynamics, for no energy is created-energy from the ocean is just converted to electrical energy. Show that the second law of thermodynamics prohibits the existence of such a machine.
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