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6: Thermodynamics

  • Page ID
    574069
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    • 6.1: Introduction
      This page covers thermodynamics, emphasizing energy and work in predicting chemical and physical processes. It builds on thermochemistry, focusing on heat flow during reactions and phase changes. The chapter introduces new concepts for predicting changes under specific conditions and uses geysers as an example to illustrate thermodynamic principles regarding pressure and temperature effects on water behavior.
    • 6.2: Spontaneity
      Chemical and physical processes have a natural tendency to occur in one direction under certain conditions. This page explains the difference between spontaneous and nonspontaneous processes, noting that spontaneous processes happen naturally while nonspontaneous ones need external energy. It provides examples like ice melting and iron corrosion, and links spontaneity to the dispersal of matter and energy. The text also contrasts thermodynamic and kinetic stability.
    • 6.3: Entropy
      Entropy (S) is a state function that can be related to the number of microstates for a system (the number of ways the system can be arranged) and to the ratio of reversible heat to kelvin temperature. It may be interpreted as a measure of the dispersal or distribution of matter and/or energy in a system, and it is often described as representing the “disorder” of the system. Solids have lower entropy than liquids and gases.
    • 6.4: The Second and Third Laws of Thermodynamics
      The second law of thermodynamics states spontaneous processes increases the entropy of the universe. The third law of thermodynamics establishes the zero for entropy at 0 for a perfect, pure crystalline solid at 0 K with only one possible microstate. The standard entropy change for a process is computed standard entropy values for the species involved.
    • 6.5: Free Energy
      Gibbs free energy (G) is a state function defined with regard to system quantities only and may be used to predict the spontaneity of a process. A negative value for ΔG indicates a spontaneous process; a positive ΔG indicates a nonspontaneous process; and a ΔG of zero indicates that the system is at equilibrium. A number of approaches to the computation of free energy changes are possible.
    • 6.6: Key Terms
      This page outlines essential thermodynamics definitions, covering concepts such as entropy, Gibbs free energy, and types of processes (spontaneous, nonspontaneous, reversible). It explains the second and third laws of thermodynamics, emphasizing that spontaneous processes increase entropy and that a perfect crystal’s entropy is zero at absolute zero. Key terms like standard entropy and free energy changes are also introduced, providing a foundational understanding of thermodynamic principles.
    • 6.7: Key Equations
    • 6.8: Summary
      This page covers spontaneous and nonspontaneous processes, highlighting that spontaneous processes require no external energy and increase entropy, which measures disorder. The second law of thermodynamics states that these processes enhance the universe's entropy, while the third law defines absolute zero entropy for a perfect crystal.
    • 6.9: Exercises
      This page explores concepts of spontaneous and nonspontaneous reactions, entropy changes, and thermodynamic properties. It differentiates between processes like boiling and freezing, provides entropy calculations for various reactions, and discusses Gibbs free energy (ΔG°) in relation to equilibrium constants (Kp) and temperature effects on spontaneity. Examples of chemical reactions, including ammonia formation and biomass processes, are analyzed alongside the role of ATP in driving reactions.


    This page titled 6: Thermodynamics was last modified on Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:52:13 GMT and is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Brooke Johnson.

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