Which Side of the Equilibrium Has Maximum Entropy?

In summary, the equilibrium question is asking which side has the maximum entropy. The phase of a gas is considered the most random phase and since both sides have it, the coefficients in front of the gases must be looked at. The side with the highest amount of molecules would typically have the maximum entropy, so in this case, the right side (CO (g) + H20 (g)) has the maximum entropy due to its 2 moles compared to the left side's 1 mole.
  • #1
flour_monster
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Homework Statement



This equilibrium question is asking which side has the maximum entropy (randomness), now the phase of a gas is the most random phase and since both sides have it we have to look at the coefficents in front of the gases. The side that would normally have the maximum entropy would be the one with the highest amount of molecules.

CO2 (g) + H2 (g) = CO (g) + H20 (g) ; H=42.6 KJ

Homework Equations



_CO2 (g) + _H2 (g) = _CO (g) + _H20 (g) ; H=+42.6 KJ

The Attempt at a Solution



To the best of my knowledge both sides have the same amount of randomness, but i doubt that would be the answer.
 
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  • #2
The side with the highest amount of molecules would be the one with the maximum entropy. So in this case, the right side has the maximum entropy (CO (g) + H20 (g)) because it has 2 moles and the left side only has 1 mole.
 

FAQ: Which Side of the Equilibrium Has Maximum Entropy?

What is equilibrium in chemistry?

Equilibrium in chemistry refers to a state where the forward and reverse reactions of a chemical reaction occur at equal rates, resulting in no overall change in the concentrations of reactants and products.

How is equilibrium achieved?

Equilibrium is achieved when the concentrations of reactants and products reach a balance and the rate of the forward reaction is equal to the rate of the reverse reaction.

What is entropy in chemistry?

Entropy in chemistry refers to the measure of disorder or randomness in a system. It is a thermodynamic property that increases as a system becomes more disordered.

How does entropy affect equilibrium?

In general, as a system becomes more disordered, its entropy increases. In a chemical reaction, an increase in entropy can shift the equilibrium towards the products if the products are more disordered than the reactants.

What factors can affect the equilibrium of a chemical reaction?

The factors that can affect the equilibrium of a chemical reaction include temperature, pressure, concentration of reactants and products, and the presence of catalysts. Changes in these factors can shift the equilibrium towards the reactants or products, or even change the equilibrium constant of the reaction.

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