36.5k views
5 votes
What is entropy? Do reactions favour high or low entropy?

User Primico
by
7.3k points

1 Answer

3 votes

Final answer:

Entropy is a measure of the randomness or disorder within a system. In chemical reactions, the total entropy of the system tends to increase. Chemical reactions generally favor high entropy.

Step-by-step explanation:

Entropy is a measure of the randomness or disorder within a system. It is the tendency of a system to proceed towards a state of greater disorder or randomness. In chemical reactions, the total entropy of the system tends to increase.

For example, entropy increases when molecules at a high concentration in one place diffuse and spread out. This is because the molecules become more randomly distributed, leading to higher entropy. Therefore, chemical reactions generally favor high entropy.

User Lysann Schlegel
by
8.6k points