Question 1
Question detail
How does an increase in entropy affect the feasibility of a reaction? Provide an example.
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Thermodynamics (A-level only)
Question
How does an increase in entropy affect the feasibility of a reaction? Provide an example.
Answer
An increase in entropy generally favors the feasibility of a reaction because it indicates a greater dispersal of energy and disorder. For example, the melting of ice into water increases entropy, making the process thermodynamically favorable at temperatures above 0°C.
Explanation
This answer effectively links the concept of entropy to reaction feasibility, illustrating the relationship with a relevant example. It tests the student's ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Entropy
Students often confuse entropy with energy, thinking it measures energy rather than the dispersal of energy or disorder in a system.
Entropy (S) is defined as a measure of the dispersal of energy or disorder. To clarify, remember that higher entropy indicates greater disorder and energy dispersal in a system, while lower entropy indicates more order. For example, in a solid, particles are closely packed and have low entropy, whereas in a gas, particles are far apart and have high entropy.
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