Question detail

What is the relationship between entropy and the feasibility of a reaction?

Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.

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At a glance

MCQ

Type

practice

Style

Topic

Thermodynamics (A-level only)

Question

A. Higher entropy always means a reaction is feasible
B. Lower entropy indicates a reaction is feasible
C. Entropy is unrelated to reaction feasibility
D. Entropy changes can help predict reaction feasibility

Answer

Entropy changes can help predict reaction feasibility

Explanation

Entropy changes, along with enthalpy changes, are used in Gibbs free energy calculations to determine if a reaction is thermodynamically feasible.

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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