What is entropy and how is it used in chemistry?

Entropy (S) is a measure of disorder in a system. Any process, in this case a chemical reaction, is said to entropically favoured if the overall disorder in the system increases. This is usually when there is a net increase in the number of molecules, or the products of the reaction are in a more disordered state - for example, gas instead of solid. This can be used to find if a reaction is feasible at a given temperature, using Gibbs Free Energy (G), which is found by the equation G=dH-TdS, where dH, dS and T are the enthalpy change, entropy change, and temperature respectively. If the value for G is found to be negative, the reaction will occur spontaneously.

Answered by Kashf S. Chemistry tutor

2274 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Which Ion from Na+ and Mg2+ has a smaller atomic radii? Explain why?


Calculate the empirical formula of a compound containing 77.7% Iron and 22.3% of oxygen.


A solution of ethanoic acid is made by dissolving 3g of pure liquid propanoic acid in 500cm^3 water. Given the pH of the solution is 2.98, calculate Ka.


What's the difference between an electrophile and a nucleophile?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences