Question

Which of the following two conditions will favor a spontaneous reaction?

a) an increase in entropy and a decrease in enthalpy
b) an increase in both entropy and in enthalpy
c) a decrease in entropy and a decrease in enthalpy
d) a decrease in entropy and an increase in enthalpy

Answer 1

The conditions that favor a spontaneous reaction are an increase in entropy and a decrease in enthalpy.

Step-by-step explanation:

A spontaneous reaction is a reaction that occurs without the input of external energy and proceeds on its own. To determine the conditions that favor a spontaneous reaction, we look at the changes in entropy and enthalpy. According to the second law of thermodynamics, all spontaneous processes result in an increase in total entropy of a system. Therefore, option a) an increase in entropy and a decrease in enthalpy favors a spontaneous reaction.