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Chapter 18: Problem 4

Define entropy. What are the units of entropy?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Entropy quantifies the randomness or disorder within a system, attributable to the different arrangements the system's particles can possess. Its units in the International System are Joules per Kelvin (J/K).

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Entropy

Entropy is a fundamental concept in thermodynamics that quantifies the amount of randomness or disorder in a system. It is often associated with the second law of thermodynamics, which states that the entropy of an isolated system will always increase over time. It represents the number of different arrangements that the particles in a system can have. Higher entropy implies a higher degree of randomness or disorder.
02

Units of Entropy

In the International System of Units (SI), entropy is measured in Joules per Kelvin (J/K). In a statistical or quantum mechanical context, it can be dimensionless, but in the thermodynamic context, it's conventionally measured in Joules per Kelvin.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Which of the following processes are spontaneous and which are nonspontaneous at a given temperature? (a) \(\mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(s) \stackrel{\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}}{\longrightarrow} \mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(a q)\) saturated soln (b) \(\mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(s) \stackrel{\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}}{\longrightarrow} \mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(a q) \quad\) unsaturated soln (c) \(\mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(s) \stackrel{\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}}{\longrightarrow} \mathrm{NaNO}_{3}(a q)\) supersaturated soln

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

For each pair of substances listed here, choose the one having the larger standard entropy value at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). The same molar amount is used in the comparison. Explain the basis for your choice. (a) \(\operatorname{Li}(s)\) or \(\operatorname{Li}(l)\) (b) \(\mathrm{C}_{2} \mathrm{H}_{5} \mathrm{OH}(l)\) or \(\mathrm{CH}_{3} \mathrm{OCH}_{3}(l)\) (c) \(\operatorname{Ar}(g)\) or \(\operatorname{Xe}(g)\) (d) \(\mathrm{CO}(g)\) or \(\mathrm{CO}_{2}(g)\) (e) \(\mathrm{O}_{2}(g)\) or \(\mathrm{O}_{3}(g)\) (f) \(\mathrm{NO}_{2}(g)\) or \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{4}(g)\)

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) Calculate \(\Delta G^{\circ}\) and \(K_{P}\) for the following equilibrium reaction at \(25^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\). The \(\Delta G_{f}^{\circ}\) values are 0 for \(\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g),-286 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\) for \(\mathrm{PCl}_{3}(g),\) and \(-325 \mathrm{~kJ} / \mathrm{mol}\) for \(\mathrm{PCl}_{5}(g)\) $$ \mathrm{PCl}_{5}(g) \rightleftharpoons \mathrm{PCl}_{3}(g)+\mathrm{Cl}_{2}(g) $$. (b) Calculate \(\Delta G\) for the reaction if the partial pressures of the initial mixture are \(P_{\mathrm{PCl}_{5}}=0.0029 \mathrm{~atm}\) \(P_{\mathrm{PCl}_{3}}=0.27 \mathrm{~atm},\) and \(P_{\mathrm{Cl}_{2}}=0.40 \mathrm{~atm}\).
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