4.3.1

Introduction to Entropy

Test yourself on Introduction to Entropy

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Entropy

Entropy is a measure of disorder. Entropy always increases during a reaction.

Entropy

Entropy

  • ΔH is not enough to determine whether or not a reaction happens.
    • When NaCl dissolves, the reaction is endothermic - but it still happens!
Stability

Stability

  • Substances are more stable when they have greater disorder.
  • This means that everything tends to increase its disorder.
    • This is why your phone cables get tangled in your pocket!
    • It’s also why NaCl dissolves in water - its entropy increases.
Technical definition

Technical definition

  • Entropy is technically defined as the number of ways molecules can be arranged, and the number of ways their energy can be arranged between them.
  • Entropy is given the symbol S.
    • A big and positive value of S indicates a large disorder.

Factors Affecting Entropy

Entropy is affected by many factors, including temperature, physical state and number of moles.

Temperature

Temperature

  • According to kinetic-molecular theory, the temperature of a substance is proportional to the average kinetic energy of its particles.
  • Raising the temperature of a substance will result in more extensive vibrations of the particles in solids and more rapid translations of the particles in liquids and gases.
  • At higher temperatures, the distribution of kinetic energies among the atoms or molecules of the substance is also broader than at lower temperatures.
    • Thus, the entropy for any substance increases with temperature.
Physical state

Physical state

  • The molecules in gases are free to move. This means that they have a higher entropy than solids and liquids.
  • In the same way, liquids have higher entropy than solids.
  • Solids have lower entropy than liquids.
    • In the solid phase, the atoms or molecules are restricted to nearly fixed positions with respect to each other and are capable of only modest oscillations about these positions.
Phase changes

Phase changes

  • The entropy of a substance increases (ΔS > 0) as it transforms from a relatively ordered solid, to a less-ordered liquid, and then to a still less-ordered gas.
  • The entropy decreases (ΔS < 0) as the substance transforms from a gas to a liquid and then to a solid.
Diagram
Number of moles

Number of moles

  • There are more ways you can arrange ten particles than two particles. So the more moles of substance, the greater the entropy.
  • Entropy also increases in a reaction that also has more moles of gaseous products than gaseous reactants.
Conditions for a reaction

Conditions for a reaction

  • This all means that a reaction is more likely to happen if:
    • The reaction increases the number of moles of substance.
    • The reaction produces gas and consumes solids.
    • The reaction is exothermic.
Jump to other topics
1

Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2

Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3

Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1

The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2

Periodic Trends

3.3

Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4

Halogens

3.5

Noble gases, group 18

3.6

Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7

Functional Group Chemistry

3.8

Alkanes

3.9

Alcohols

3.10

Halogenoalkanes

4

Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5

Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6

Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7

Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

Practice questions on Introduction to Entropy

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
    Entropy of PhasesPut in order
Answer all questions on Introduction to Entropy

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium