Open Question
What is ΔS° for the reaction between nitrogen gas and fluorine gas to form nitrogen trifluoride gas, and how can the sign of ΔS° be rationalized?
19. Chemical Thermodynamics
Entropy
Multiple Choice
According to the second law of thermodynamics, what is the natural tendency for the entropy of an isolated system to do over time?
A
Remain exactly constant for all processes
B
Increase
C
Oscillate periodically between high and low values
D
Decrease
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall the second law of thermodynamics, which states that in an isolated system (one that exchanges neither matter nor energy with its surroundings), the total entropy tends to change in a specific way over time.
Understand that entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system, and the second law predicts the direction of spontaneous processes.
Recognize that for an isolated system, spontaneous processes lead to an increase in entropy because systems naturally evolve toward states with higher probability and greater disorder.
Note that while entropy can remain constant in idealized reversible processes, these are theoretical and do not represent the natural tendency of real processes in isolated systems.
Conclude that the natural tendency for the entropy of an isolated system over time is to increase, reflecting the irreversible nature of spontaneous changes.
Related Videos
Related Practice
