Chapter 17. Gibbs Energy and Thermodynamics Teaching Tips
Suggestions and Examples 17.1Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous Processes
Misconceptions and Pitfalls A common misconception is that spontaneous processes occur at high rates. This is often but certainly not always true, e.g., the combustion of octane at 25 oC in the absence of a spark or catalyst.
Mechanical potential energy and chemical potential energy typically increase through nonspontaneous processes. Ask the class for additional examples of nonspontaneous processes. 17.2Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
Endothermic processes can occur spontaneously if the arrangement of particles changes from an orderly one to a more disorderly one. Even so, the spontaneity of these processes depends on temperature (e.g., the melting of an ice cube). Entropy is a thermodynamic state function that increases with the number of energetically equivalent arrangements (microstates).
Spontaneity exothermic
is not synonymous with . Endothermic processes also can be spontaneous. Exothermic processes can be nonspontaneous. A beginner’s view of entropy relies on the analogy to disorder, but the better picture of entropy is energy equivalence. Spontaneous processes occur such that energy is evenly distributed, e.g., thermal equilibration.
There are many statements of the second law of thermodynamics. The one that is particularly relevant in this section is that for any spontaneous process, the entropy of the universe increases. Another example to consider using is the probabilities associated with flipping multiple coins.
The entropy of materials increases in transitioning from the solid phase to the liquid and then to the gas phase. There are more different ways to define the locations of the particles as a result of those phase changes, and there are more “places” for energy (vibration, rotation, translation). Conceptual Connection 17.1 Entropy
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