Final answer:
A satellite falling to Earth is a spontaneous process, while water decomposing to H₂ and O₂ at 298 K and 1 atm is nonspontaneous. Average car prices increasing is not a chemical reaction and is not classified as spontaneous or nonspontaneous.
Step-by-step explanation:
A spontaneous process is a process that occurs naturally without any external intervention or input of energy.
It is driven by a decrease in Gibbs free energy (ΔG < 0). Based on this definition, we can determine which of the given processes are spontaneous:
- (a) A satellite falls to Earth: This process is spontaneous because it occurs naturally due to the force of gravity.
- (b) Water decomposes to H₂ and O₂ at 298 K and 1 atm:
- This process is nonspontaneous because the decomposition of water requires an input of energy.
- (c) Average car prices increase:
- This process is not a chemical reaction, and thus, it is not controlled by thermodynamics.
- Therefore, it is not classified as spontaneous or nonspontaneous.