Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 9: Problem 9

The least random state of a water system is (a) ice (b) liquid water (c) steam (d) equal randomness in all

Short Answer

Expert verified
The least random state of a water system is (a) ice.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the states of water

The three given options describe the three physical states of water: Ice (solid), liquid water (liquid) and steam (gas). In solid state, the particles are closely packed in a regular pattern resulting in very low randomness. In the liquid state, the particles have some freedom to move, resulting in moderate randomness. In gaseous state, the particles have total freedom and can occupy all the available space, resulting in high randomness.
02

Applying the concept of entropy

The randomness of a state is linked to its entropy. The higher the randomness, the higher the entropy. Since we are looking for the least random state, we are essentially looking for the state with the lowest entropy.
03

Choosing the right option

After understanding the concept and how it is related to the different states of matter, we can conclude that the correct answer is the state of water with the lowest entropy, which, as mentioned earlier, is the most ordered state, that is the solid state (ice).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

The mathematical form of the first law of thermodynamics is (a) \(d q=d U=d w\) (b) \(d q=d U-d w\) (c) \(d U=d q+d w\) (d) none of these

A process during which there is no heat change is called (a) an adiabatic process (b) reversible process (c) irreversible process (d) none of these

The heat content of a system is called (a) internal energy (b) enthalpy (c) free energy (d) entropy

The first law of thermodynamics is the law of (a) enthalpy (b) free energy (c) conservation of energy (d) none of these

Identify the intensive quantities from the following: (a) Enthalpy (b) Temperature (c) Volume (d) Refractive index.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Physical Chemistry

Read Explanation

The Earths Atmosphere

Read Explanation

Organic Chemistry

Read Explanation

Chemistry Branches

Read Explanation

Kinetics

Read Explanation

Ionic and Molecular Compounds

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free