If the enthalpy of a system increases, what can be inferred about the system?
Practice Questions
Q1
If the enthalpy of a system increases, what can be inferred about the system?
It is losing heat
It is gaining heat
It is at equilibrium
It is undergoing a phase change
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
If the enthalpy of a system increases, what can be inferred about the system?
Step 1: Understand what enthalpy is. Enthalpy is a measure of the total energy of a system, including internal energy and the energy required to make room for it by displacing its environment.
Step 2: Recognize that an increase in enthalpy means that the total energy of the system is going up.
Step 3: Realize that when a system gains energy, it usually means it is absorbing heat from its surroundings.
Step 4: Conclude that if the enthalpy of a system increases, it indicates that the system is gaining heat.
Enthalpy – Enthalpy is a thermodynamic quantity that represents the total heat content of a system, and an increase indicates heat absorption.
Heat Transfer – Understanding that an increase in enthalpy typically means the system is absorbing heat from its surroundings.
