Entropy, Enthelpy and Supercooled liquids problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the difference in entropy between solid and supercooled liquid cyclohexane at -20°C, with a focus on the implications of supercooling and the nature of reversible processes.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to determine the change in entropy using the enthalpy of fusion and questions the applicability of the reversible process formula due to the nature of supercooling.
  • Participants discuss the relevance of heat capacities in the context of entropy changes and whether the change in entropy of the surroundings should be considered.
  • There is a query about the assumption that heat capacity at constant volume is approximately equal to heat capacity at constant pressure for liquids and solids.

Discussion Status

Participants are exploring different aspects of the problem, including the implications of supercooling and the definitions of heat capacities. Some guidance has been provided regarding the nature of the equations and the conditions under which they apply, but no consensus has been reached on the specific calculations or assumptions.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the irreversibility of the supercooling process and the lack of information regarding the surroundings, which may affect the analysis of entropy changes.

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Homework Statement



Calculate the difference in entropy between solid cyclohexane at -20°C and supercooled liquid cyclohexane at -20°C.

Verify that \frac{\Delta H_{ fusion.supercooled}}{T_{fusion.supercooled}} is not equal to the change in entropy.

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



This is the final part of a question, i have already determined the enthalpy of fusion of supercooled cyclohexane at -20°C \Delta H= 192 kJ/kg

Supercooling a liquid is not a reversable process, ie. once the supercooled liquid is frozen it cannot melt at that same temperature.

so the formula:

\int dS = \int\frac{dQ}{T}

cannot be used because this is for reversable processes only.

for the change in entropy would i have to find a reversable route? maybe the sum of entropy changes from: heating the substance from -20 to melting point, melting the substance, supercooling the substance back to -20.
 
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Yeah, that's good, however, in the explanation by Andrew, second post from the bottom.
he uses the argument that the integrals cancel, but the C's arent equal because one is heat capacity of water and the other is of ice, am I right?

Also, if I'm considering just the change in entropy between the two states do i need to consider the change in entropy of the surroundings? I guess i don't because I'm not given any information about them.

Finally, in my notes i have the general equation for change in entropy for a reversale process:

\Delta S = C_V ln\left[\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right] + nRln\left[\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right]

where C_V is heat capacity at constant volume. can i assume that:

C_V \approx C_P for liquids and solids?

thanks
 
knowlewj01 said:
Yeah, that's good, however, in the explanation by Andrew, second post from the bottom.
he uses the argument that the integrals cancel, but the C's arent equal because one is heat capacity of water and the other is of ice, am I right?
You are right. It will not make a material difference though because it increases the entropy change of the 100 g of water, so when you add the change in entropy of the 100g of water to the change in entropy of the surroundings total entropy change is even greater (and still greater than 0).

Also, if I'm considering just the change in entropy between the two states do i need to consider the change in entropy of the surroundings? I guess i don't because I'm not given any information about them.
Correct.

Finally, in my notes i have the general equation for change in entropy for a reversible process:

\Delta S = C_V ln\left[\frac{T_2}{T_1}\right] + nRln\left[\frac{V_2}{V_1}\right]

where C_V is heat capacity at constant volume. can i assume that:

C_V \approx C_P for liquids and solids?
Your formula is correct for ideal gases only. The difference between Cp and Cv for non-gases will depend on the substance. For water the difference is about 1%.

AM
 

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