1.

What is the significance of the second law of thermodynamics in the spontaneity of exothermic and endothermic reactions?

Answer»

The second law of thermodynamics provides explanation for the spontaneity of chemical reactions. In exothermic reactions heat released by the reaction increases the disorder of the surroundings and overall 1 entropy change is positive which makes the reaction spontaneous.

In the case of endothermic reactions, since heat is ‘ absorbed by the system from the surroundings, the entropy change of the surroundings becomes negative (∆Ssurr < 0). In this case the process will be spontaneous only if the entropy change of the reacting system is positive (∆Ssys > 0) and is also greater than ∆Ssurr in magnitude so that the overall entropy change (∆Stotal) is positive.



Discussion

No Comment Found

Related InterviewSolutions