Can Entropy Decrease in Endothermic Reactions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TT0
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Entropy
AI Thread Summary
Entropy behavior in endothermic reactions can be confusing. While some sources suggest that entropy decreases in these reactions, the consensus is that the entropy of a closed system can both increase and decrease based on changes between initial and final equilibrium states. However, when considering the entire system plus its surroundings, the second law of thermodynamics states that the total entropy can only increase or remain constant in reversible processes. This clarification helps reconcile the differing viewpoints on entropy changes in chemical reactions.
TT0
Messages
210
Reaction score
3
I forgot where I saw it but recently I saw somewhere that entropy decreases in endothermic reactions. On other sites however, they say that entropy can only increase and not decrease. Can someone tell me which is right?

Thanks
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Both are right. The entropy of a closed system can increase of decrease, depending on what is done to it between its initial equilibrium state and its final equilibrium state. But, for the system plus the surroundings as a whole, the combined entropy can only increase (or in a reversible process, stay constant).
 
  • Like
Likes TT0
I see, thanks
 

Thread 'Solubility of MgSO47H2O in water'

It seems like a simple enough question: what is the solubility of epsom salt in water at 20°C? A graph or table showing how it varies with temperature would be a bonus. But upon searching the internet I have been unable to determine this with confidence. Wikipedia gives the value of 113g/100ml. But other sources disagree and I can't find a definitive source for the information. I even asked chatgpt but it couldn't be sure either. I thought, naively, that this would be easy to look up without...
View full post »

Thread 'Why does having 8 valence electrons make an element inert?'

I was introduced to the Octet Rule recently and make me wonder, why does 8 valence electrons or a full p orbital always make an element inert? What is so special with a full p orbital? Like take Calcium for an example, its outer orbital is filled but its only the s orbital thats filled so its still reactive not so much as the Alkaline metals but still pretty reactive. Can someone explain it to me? Thanks!!
View full post »

Similar threads

Why does temperature fall in endothermic process in adiabatic system?
Replies
4
Views
2K
Entropy and Endothermic Processes
Replies
8
Views
3K
Chemistry Will this reaction cause an increase or decrease in temperature?
Replies
8
Views
2K
Entropy: Destruction or Transformation?
Replies
3
Views
2K
What is the Entropy of a Half Reaction?
Replies
6
Views
2K
Please explain the reaction between Potassium carbonate and Magnesium
Replies
5
Views
2K
Reconciling Entropy & Gibbs Free Energy
Replies
8
Views
2K
Does anyone know of a thermally-stable endothermic reaction?
Replies
9
Views
2K
Would this reaction be exothermic or endothermic?
Replies
2
Views
1K
Is Gibbs free energy just potential energy reduction?
Replies
6
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top