Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781133958437
Author: Ball, David W. (david Warren), BAER, Tomas
Publisher: Wadsworth Cengage Learning,
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Chapter 3, Problem 3.1E

Decide whether the following processes will be spontaneous, and why. The “why” can be general, not specific. (a) Ice melting at 5 ° C (b) Ice melting at + 5 ° C (c) KBr ( s ) dissolving in water (d) An unplugged refrigerator getting cold (e) A leaf falling from a tree to the ground (f) The reaction Li ( s ) + 1 2 F 2 ( g ) LiF ( s ) (g) The reaction H 2 O ( l ) H 2 ( g ) + 1 2 O 2 ( g )

Expert Solution
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Interpretation Introduction

(a)

Interpretation:

Whether the melting of ice at 5°C will be spontaneous or not is to be stated. The reason for the answer is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

Any process that occurs without the requirement of work done by the surrounding is known as the spontaneous process. Spontaneous processes occur when the energy of the system is lowered, but this definition of spontaneous processes is not true for every process. The reactions in which the energy is high also occur spontaneously.

Answer to Problem 3.1E

The melting of ice at 5°C will be a non-spontaneous process as the process would not occur on its own at 5°C.

Explanation of Solution

The freezing point of water is 0°C. Therefore, the melting of ice occurs above 0°C. The melting of ice at 5°C would not occur on its own. The processes which occur naturally on their own are the spontaneous processes. Therefore, the melting of ice at 5°C will be non-spontaneous.

Conclusion

The melting of ice at 5°C will be a non-spontaneous process as the process would not occur on its own at 5°C.

Expert Solution
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Interpretation Introduction

(b)

Interpretation:

Whether the melting of ice at +5°C will be spontaneous or not is to be stated. The reason for the answer is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

Any process that occurs without the requirement of work done by the surrounding is known as the spontaneous process. Spontaneous processes occur when the energy of the system is lowered, but this definition of spontaneous processes is not true for every process. The reactions in which the energy is high also occur spontaneously.

Answer to Problem 3.1E

The melting of ice at +5°C will be a spontaneous process as the process would occur on its own at +5°C.

Explanation of Solution

The freezing point of water is 0°C. So, the melting of ice occurs above 0°C. The melting of ice at +5°C would occur on its own. The processes which occur naturally on their own are the spontaneous processes. Therefore, the melting of ice at +5°C will be spontaneous.

Conclusion

The melting of ice at +5°C will be a spontaneous process as the process would occur on its own at +5°C.

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Interpretation Introduction

(c)

Interpretation:

Whether the dissolution of KBr(s) in the water will be spontaneous or not is to be stated. The reason for the answer is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

Any process that occurs without the requirement of work done by surroundings is known as the spontaneous process. Spontaneous processes occur when the energy of the system is lowered, but this definition of spontaneous processes is not true for every process. The reactions in which the energy is high also occur spontaneously.

Answer to Problem 3.1E

The dissolution of KBr(s) in the water will be a spontaneous process as the potassium salts are soluble in water.

Explanation of Solution

The potassium salts are soluble in water. When KBr(s) is added to water, it will get dissolved in water on its own. The processes which occur naturally on their own are the spontaneous processes. Therefore, the dissolution of KBr(s) in the water will be spontaneous.

Conclusion

The dissolution of KBr(s) in the water will be a spontaneous process as the potassium salts are soluble in water.

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Interpretation Introduction

(d)

Interpretation:

Whether the process of cooling of an unplugged refrigerator will be spontaneous or not is to be stated. The reason for the answer is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

Any process that occurs without the requirement of work done by thet surrounding is known as the spontaneous process. Spontaneous processes occur when the energy of the system is lowered, but this definition of spontaneous processes is not true for every process. The reactions in which the energy is high also occur spontaneously.

Answer to Problem 3.1E

The process of cooling of an unplugged refrigerator will be a non-spontaneous process as the refrigerator would not be cooled in the absence of electricity.

Explanation of Solution

The unplugged refrigerator will not have any electricity supply, and therefore it will not be cooled on its own. The processes which occur naturally on their own are the spontaneous processes. Therefore, the process of cooling of an unplugged refrigerator will be a non-spontaneous.

Conclusion

The process of cooling of an unplugged refrigerator will be a non-spontaneous process as the refrigerator would not be cold in the absence of electricity.

Expert Solution
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Interpretation Introduction

(e)

Interpretation:

Whether the process of falling off a leaf from a tree to the ground will be spontaneous or not is to be stated. The reason for the answer is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

Any process that occurs without the requirement of work done by the surrounding is known as the spontaneous process. Spontaneous processes occur when the energy of the system is lowered, but this definition of spontaneous processes is not true for every process. The reactions in which the energy is high also occur spontaneously.

Answer to Problem 3.1E

The process of falling off a leaf from a tree to the ground will be a spontaneous process as it is a natural process and occurs on its own.

Explanation of Solution

The process of falling off a leaf from a tree to the ground is a natural process which occurs under the gravitational force. The processes which occur naturally on their own are the spontaneous processes. Therefore, the process of falling off a leaf from a tree to the ground will be spontaneous.

Conclusion

The process of falling off a leaf from a tree to the ground will be a spontaneous process as it is a natural process and occurs on its own.

Expert Solution
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Interpretation Introduction

(f)

Interpretation:

Whether the reaction of lithium with fluorine gas will be spontaneous or not is to be stated. The reason for the answer is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

Any process that occurs without the requirement of work done by surroundings is known as the spontaneous process. Spontaneous processes occur when the energy of the system is lowered. But this definition of spontaneous processes is not true for every process. The reactions in which the energy is high also occur spontaneously.

Answer to Problem 3.1E

The reaction of lithium with fluorine gas will be a spontaneous process as the formation of the product is highly favored for this process.

Explanation of Solution

The reaction of lithium with fluorine gas is shown.

Li(s)+12F2(g)LiF(s)

The reaction is an endothermic reaction which requires heat to give the product. It is a spontaneous process as the formation of product is highly favored due to factors other than enthalpy (entropy). Therefore, the reaction of lithium with fluorine gas will be spontaneous.

Conclusion

The reaction of lithium with fluorine gas will be a spontaneous process as the formation of the product is highly favored for this process.

Expert Solution
Check Mark
Interpretation Introduction

(g)

Interpretation:

Whether the decomposition of water will be spontaneous or not is to be stated. The reason for the answer is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

Any process that occurs without the requirement of work done by the surrounding is known as the spontaneous process. Spontaneous processes occur when the energy of the system is lowered, but this definition of spontaneous processes is not true for every process. The reactions in which the energy is high also occur spontaneously.

Answer to Problem 3.1E

The decomposition of water will be a non-spontaneous process as the reaction requires a huge amount of heat.

Explanation of Solution

The reaction of decomposition of water is shown.

H2O(l)H2(g)+12O2(g)

In the decomposition of water, the liquid phase is going to the gaseous phase; that is, from low enthalpy to high enthalpy. It is not favored unless a huge amount of heat is supplied. Thus, the process will not occur on its own. Therefore, the given reaction will be non-spontaneous.

Conclusion

The decomposition of water will be a non-spontaneous process as the reaction requires a huge amount of heat.

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Chapter 3 Solutions

Physical Chemistry

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