If the entropy of a system increases, what can be inferred about the spontaneity of the process?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
If the entropy of a system increases, what can be inferred about the spontaneity of the process?
The process is non-spontaneous
The process is spontaneous
The process is at equilibrium
None of the above
An increase in entropy indicates that the process is spontaneous, as per the second law of thermodynamics.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: If the entropy of a system increases, what can be inferred about the spontaneity of the process?
Solution: An increase in entropy indicates that the process is spontaneous, as per the second law of thermodynamics.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand what entropy is. Entropy is a measure of disorder or randomness in a system.
Step 2: Learn about the second law of thermodynamics. This law states that in an isolated system, the total entropy can never decrease over time.
Step 3: Recognize that if the entropy of a system increases, it means the system is becoming more disordered.
Step 4: Connect the increase in entropy to spontaneity. A spontaneous process is one that occurs naturally without needing to be driven by an external force.
Step 5: Conclude that since an increase in entropy indicates more disorder, it suggests that the process is spontaneous.
