Chapter 4: Problem 76
The entropy change for a phase transformation is : (a) \(\frac{\Delta U}{\gamma+d T}\) (b) \(\frac{\Delta T}{\Delta H}\) (c) \(\frac{\Delta H}{T}\) (d) \(\frac{\Delta H+\Delta G}{T}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The correct formula for entropy change during a phase transformation is (c) \(\frac{\Delta H}{T}\).
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Entropy Change in Phase Transformations
Entropy change, denoted as \( \Delta S \), during a phase transformation is defined as the heat absorbed or released by the system at a constant temperature divided by that temperature. This quantity can be found using the formula \( \Delta S = \frac{\Delta Q_{rev}}{T}\), where \( \Delta Q_{rev} \) is the reversible heat change and \(T\) is the absolute temperature.
02
Identify Correct Formulas for Heat Change
The heat change (\( \Delta Q_{rev}\)) during a phase transformation at constant pressure is equivalent to the change in enthalpy (\(\Delta H\)). Thus the correct formula for entropy change is \(\Delta S = \frac{\Delta H}{T}\). We need to pick the option that matches this correct formulation.
03
Choosing the Correct Answer
Option (c) \(\frac{\Delta H}{T}\) is the correct formula for entropy change during a phase transformation since it represents the enthalpy change (\(\Delta H\)) divided by the absolute temperature (\(T\)), aligning with the definition and formula for entropy change.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Entropy Change Formula
When we talk about entropy change in the context of phase transformations in physical chemistry, we're referring to the measure of a system's disorder or randomness increasing or decreasing as it changes state - for example, from solid to liquid or liquid to gas. This change is critical to understanding thermodynamic processes.
The entropy change formula, represented as \(\frac{\text{th{4}{\tiny H}}}{T}\) , where \(\text{th{4}{\tiny H}}\) is enthalpy change and T is absolute temperature, provides important insight into how much thermal energy per temperature unit is redistributed within a system or exchanged with the surroundings during a phase change. This formula is derived from the second law of thermodynamics, which tells us that for a reversible process, the entropy change is the heat absorbed or released divided by the temperature.
To effectively harness this understanding, it's crucial to think of entropy as a currency exchanged in every energy transaction. When a substance melts or vaporizes, it's like the molecules are 'paying' entropy to transition into a more disordered state. Keeping track of this 'payment', via the entropy change formula, helps us predict how a system will behave under varying conditions.
The entropy change formula, represented as \(\frac{\text{th{4}{\tiny H}}}{T}\) , where \(\text{th{4}{\tiny H}}\) is enthalpy change and T is absolute temperature, provides important insight into how much thermal energy per temperature unit is redistributed within a system or exchanged with the surroundings during a phase change. This formula is derived from the second law of thermodynamics, which tells us that for a reversible process, the entropy change is the heat absorbed or released divided by the temperature.
To effectively harness this understanding, it's crucial to think of entropy as a currency exchanged in every energy transaction. When a substance melts or vaporizes, it's like the molecules are 'paying' entropy to transition into a more disordered state. Keeping track of this 'payment', via the entropy change formula, helps us predict how a system will behave under varying conditions.
Enthalpy Change
Moving on to the concept of enthalpy change, denoted as \(\text{th{4}{\tiny H}}\), it represents the total heat content of a system and is a measure of the energy that is either absorbed or released during a process at constant pressure. In the scenario of phase changes, the enthalpy change is particularly insightful because it signifies the amount of energy needed to change a substance from one phase to another.
For instance, the enthalpy of fusion is the energy required for melting a solid into a liquid, while the enthalpy of vaporization concerns the energy needed to evaporate a liquid into gas. A key point to remember is that these processes are endothermic, meaning they consume heat, reflecting a positive enthalpy change. Conversely, when a gas condenses or a liquid freezes, energy is released, indicating a negative enthalpy change.
To measure the enthalpy change in a laboratory, calorimetry can be used where the heat exchanged with the surroundings is calculated, providing practical insights into the energetic transformations during phase changes.
For instance, the enthalpy of fusion is the energy required for melting a solid into a liquid, while the enthalpy of vaporization concerns the energy needed to evaporate a liquid into gas. A key point to remember is that these processes are endothermic, meaning they consume heat, reflecting a positive enthalpy change. Conversely, when a gas condenses or a liquid freezes, energy is released, indicating a negative enthalpy change.
- During melting: \(\text{th{4}{\tiny H}}\) > 0 (endothermic)
- During freezing: \(\text{th{4}{\tiny H}}\) < 0 (exothermic)
To measure the enthalpy change in a laboratory, calorimetry can be used where the heat exchanged with the surroundings is calculated, providing practical insights into the energetic transformations during phase changes.
Phase Transitions in Physical Chemistry
Phase transitions are fascinating events in physical chemistry that involve a substance changing from one state of matter to another. This could be solid to liquid (melting), liquid to gas (vaporization), or even direct solid to gas (sublimation). Each transition involves a reconfiguration of the substance's molecules and changes in entropy and enthalpy.
These changes are governed by laws of thermodynamics and can be quantified by thermodynamic quantities such as the aforementioned entropy and enthalpy. The Clausius-Clapeyron equation is a key tool in describing the relationship between pressure and temperature during phase transitions, indicating the phase boundary on a phase diagram.
Additionally, each phase transition point has a characteristic energy associated with it—latent heat. This is the energy required to change the phase without changing the temperature. Understanding these concepts and their mathematical descriptions allows chemists and physicists to manipulate conditions to achieve desired phase states, vital in processes ranging from material science to culinary arts.
These changes are governed by laws of thermodynamics and can be quantified by thermodynamic quantities such as the aforementioned entropy and enthalpy. The Clausius-Clapeyron equation is a key tool in describing the relationship between pressure and temperature during phase transitions, indicating the phase boundary on a phase diagram.
Additionally, each phase transition point has a characteristic energy associated with it—latent heat. This is the energy required to change the phase without changing the temperature. Understanding these concepts and their mathematical descriptions allows chemists and physicists to manipulate conditions to achieve desired phase states, vital in processes ranging from material science to culinary arts.
Reversible Heat Change
The last piece of the puzzle is understanding reversible heat change, which is central to the concept of entropy. For a phase change occurring reversibly, which is an idealized process that proceeds in such a way that the system and surroundings can be returned to their initial states without creating any changes to the universe, the heat change is an exact differential. This means that the path by which the process occurs doesn't affect the overall heat exchange.
In real-world applications, however, truly reversible processes are an abstraction, as actual processes are irreversible, involving dissipative factors like friction and turbulence. Nevertheless, considering processes as reversible provides a useful model to calculate the maximum work that can be extracted or the minimum work that must be input to drive a reaction or phase change, which is pivotal in the design of efficient engines and refrigeration systems.
Moreover, calculating the reversible heat change during a phase transition helps us to obtain an accurate measure of the entropy change. This is because, in reversible processes, the entropy can be quantified as the integral of the heat transfer divided by the temperature through which the transfer occurs, aiding the comprehension of thermodynamic efficiency and spontaneity of processes.
In real-world applications, however, truly reversible processes are an abstraction, as actual processes are irreversible, involving dissipative factors like friction and turbulence. Nevertheless, considering processes as reversible provides a useful model to calculate the maximum work that can be extracted or the minimum work that must be input to drive a reaction or phase change, which is pivotal in the design of efficient engines and refrigeration systems.
Moreover, calculating the reversible heat change during a phase transition helps us to obtain an accurate measure of the entropy change. This is because, in reversible processes, the entropy can be quantified as the integral of the heat transfer divided by the temperature through which the transfer occurs, aiding the comprehension of thermodynamic efficiency and spontaneity of processes.