Chapter 18, Problem 18.89QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The given description about entropy has to be explained.

Concept Information:

Entropy is a thermodynamic quantity, which is the measure of randomness in a system.  The term entropy is useful in explaining the spontaneity of a process.  The second law of thermodynamics says that entropy of the universe is increasing.  The change in entropy in a phase transition reaction can be found by using the following equation.

${\text{ΔS}}_{\text{sys}}\text{=}\frac{{\text{ΔΗ}}_{\text{sys}}}{\text{T}}$

Where,

  ${\text{ΔΗ}}_{\text{sys}}$ is the change in enthalpy of the system

  $\text{T}$ is the absolute value of the temperature.

Second law of thermodynamics:  According to second law of thermodynamics, the entropy of the universe is the sum of the entropy of the system and the surroundings.   For all spontaneous process the entropy of the universe increases.

Equilibrium process:  When the concentration of the reactants and products remains constant with time the process is said to be at equilibrium.