23. Entropy and Gibbs Free Energy Flashcards
Define ‘entropy’.
A measure of the dispersal of energy (sys sur) at a specific temperature / the disorder/randomness of a system. Energetically, stability increases when disorder increases.
What are the ‘surroundings’?
- Air around test tube
- Test tube itself
- Solvent
- Anything dipping into the test tube.
What are spontaneous changes?
Changes that continue to occur naturally. They may be slow or in need of an input of energy to begin.
How does diffusion occur?
Molecules move randomly in straight lines until they collide with like molecules, air molecules or container walls. They then switch direction. This is due to the laws of chance and probability. During a spontaneous process like diffusion, disorder increases and so does entropy.
How many ways are there to arrange three molecules in two gas jars?
2 x 2 x 2. Each arrangement is equally likely (1/8), so the probability of a change in arrangement is higher than the probability of the arrangement remaining the same. More molecules = more arrangements.
Define ‘standard molar entropy’.
The entropy of 1 mole of a substance in its STD state. Units: J/K/mol.
All values are positive.
With what are standard molar entropy values compared?
A theoretically perfect crystal - 12g of a perfect diamond, cooled to the lowest temperature possible.
State the third law of thermodynamics.
All perfect crystals have the same entropy at absolute zero.
Name some generalisations about entropy values.
- Gases > liquids > solids (ex. CaCO3 and Hg)
- Complex substances > simple
- Softer substances > harder.
How does temperature affect entropy?
As temperature increases, entropy increases. This is because particles vibrate/move more, so disorder increases.
How does entropy change during melting?
Regularly arranged lattice of particles close together turns into an irregular arrangement of particles close together but sliding over each other. Disorder increases.
How does entropy change during vaporisation?
Particles go from close together to far apart, able to move freely and rapidly. Disorder increases. More gas molecules = more ways of arranging.
How does entropy change when an ionic solid dissolves?
The regular crystalline lattice breaks up, and the pure water becomes less ordered, as ions move between water molecules. Disorder increases.
How does enthalpy affect the entropy of the surroundings?
EXO: Energy released to surroundings increases number of arrangements of energy (goes into rotating and translating the molecules), so entropy increase is likely.
ENDO: Energy absorbed from surroundings decreases number of arrangements.
How do you calculate total entropy change?
Total = System + Surroundings
- Δ as S of R and P are different
- total increase in entropy means that the change is positive and the reaction is spontaneous.
How do you calculate system entropy change?
System = Products - Reactants
- remember stoichiometry and states.
How do you calculate surroundings entropy change?
Surroundings = -ΔHr/T
- enthalpy x1000, T in K
- large ΔH changes number of arrangements
How does entropy work in equilibrium reactions?
Both reactants and products are present, so how can ΔS be positive both ways?
- As mixing proceeds, rate of increasing disorder decreases as more P formed.
- At EQM, the -> rate = the
How is entropy change affected by temperature?
Above STD T, ΔS surroundings increases (assuming that ΔHr and S are not affected).
- The decomposition of ZnCO3 at 298K is not spontaneous, but it is at 550K.
A large increase in ΔS indicates completion, whereas a large decrease indicates that the reaction will not occur.
Why are exothermic reactions feasible?
ΔS system is negative but the high ΔHr compensates for this as it causes -ΔHr/T to have a high positive value. Total ΔS will therefore be positive.
Why are endothermic reactions not always spontaneous?
-ΔHr/T will be negative. If ΔS system is negative, total ΔS will be negative.
If ΔS system is highly positive, it could compensate for this and total ΔS will be positive.
Define ‘standard molar Gibbs free energy of formation’.
Change in free energy when 1 mole of a compound is formed from its elements in their STD states. Units: kJ/mol
What does Gibbs free energy indicate?
The likelihood of a reaction’s being spontaneous.
Give two equations to find Gibbs free energy change.
ΔG = -TΔS total
ΔG = ΔHr - TΔS system
