Introduction for Module 7 – Thermodynamics

Textbook: Open Stax Chemistry 2e

Suggested Reading: Chapter 16

Learning Objectives:

• Distinguish between spontaneous and nonspontaneous processes
• Predict the sign of the entropy change for chemical and physical processes
• Define Gibbs free energy, and describe its relation to spontaneity
• Explain how temperature affects the spontaneity of some processes

Captions and Attributions:

• A gas spreading into a larger container is only spontaneous in the forward direction. In other words, it will never partition itself into a vacuum and more crowded gas spontaneously. Figure 16.4, An isolated system consists by Open Stax is Licensed under CCBY 4.0. by Open Stax is licensed under CCBY 4.0.

• Entropy is generally higher for liquids than solids, and much higher in the gaseous state than either liquid or gas. Figure 16.10 The entropy of a substance increases by Open Stax is licensed under CCBY 4.0.

• Cards don't stay in a neat pile without attention, demonstrating a trend towards disorder. "scattered cards" by Kaitlyn Hansen is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

• Wired electronics cause frustration due to tangles. Do they ever untangle themselves? “Telework” by Peter Kaminski is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
• Increasing the temperature of a sample will increase its entropy. Figure 16.11 Entropy increases as the temperature of a substance is raised by Open Stax is licensed under CCBY 4.0.
  

• Four broad possibilities for free energy change exist based on positive or negative enthalpic and entropic contributions. Figure 16.12 There are four possibilities by Open Stax is licensed under CCBY 4.0.