Question

Indicate which substance in the given pairs has the higher entropy value. Explain briefly

(a) C₂H₅OH(I) or C₃H₇OH(I)
(b) C₂H₅OH(I) or C₂H₅OH(g)
(c) 2H(g) or H(g)

Answer 1

In each pair, the substance with higher entropy is the one with a larger molecule (C₃H₇OH(I)), the one in the gaseous state (C₂H₅OH(g)), or the one with two H atoms (2H(g)).

Step-by-step explanation:

a) The substance with higher entropy would be C₃H₇OH(I) because it has a larger molecule and therefore more microstates which describes its motions at any given temperature.

b) The substance with higher entropy would be C₂H₅OH(g) as it is in the gaseous state, which allows for more possible arrangements of molecules and more freedom of motion.

c) The substance with higher entropy would be 2H(g) because entropy is an extensive property and two H atoms possess twice as much entropy as one atom.