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Lattice Enthalpy, Entropy and Free Energy

Entropy and the limits of enthalpy change

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit A2 1

Overview

What entropy measures, entropy of a perfect crystal at absolute zero and two quantities whose balance determines whether a reaction is feasible.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started
Key term

State what entropy measures.

Key term

Why is a simple rule that all feasible reactions are exothermic incorrect?

Key term

Name the two substances that react together endothermically in the classic demonstration that a change can be feasible without releasing heat.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    State what entropy measures.

    Model answer

    Entropy is a measure of the disorder, or the number of ways the energy and particles of a system can be arranged.

  2. 2

    Give the symbol and units of standard molar entropy.

    Model answer

    It is given the symbol SӨ and is quoted in J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹.

  3. 3

    Why is a simple rule that all feasible reactions are exothermic incorrect?

    Model answer

    Some endothermic reactions happen readily, so the enthalpy change alone cannot decide feasibility and the entropy change must also be taken into account.

  4. 4

    Name the two substances that react together endothermically in the classic demonstration that a change can be feasible without releasing heat.

    Model answer

    Ammonium carbonate reacts with ethanoic acid in a reaction that absorbs heat yet takes place readily.

  5. 5

    Explain why the reaction between ammonium carbonate and ethanoic acid proceeds despite absorbing heat.

    Model answer

    Solid and liquid reactants produce carbon dioxide gas along with water and a dissolved salt, so the large increase in entropy outweighs the unfavourable enthalpy change.

  6. 6

    Place solid, liquid and gaseous water in order of increasing entropy.

    Model answer

    Ice has the lowest entropy, liquid water is higher, and steam is the highest because its molecules are furthest apart and most disordered.

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