Victoria Junior College

2012 JC1
Entropy Tutorial Answers
Supplementary Questions
Q1. Amyloids are insoluble fibrous protein aggregates sharing specific structural traits and are linked
to various neurodegenerative diseases. The folding of amyloids into specific shape under
physiological condition is a spontaneous process.
What are the correct signs for G, H and S for this process?
G

Folding of amyloids into specific shapes => more orderly => S < 0
Spontaneous process => G < 0
In order for H -TS to be negative, H must be negative.

Q2.

Instant hot packs are often used by athletes to conveniently treat injuries. One type of hot
packs is composed of powdered magnesium sulfate and water separated by a thin plastic
membrane. When the pack is squeezed, the membrane breaks and the magnesium sulfate
dissolves in water.
MgSO4(s) + nH2O(l) MgSO4(aq)
What are the correct signs for H, S and G for the overall process?

A
B
C
D

+
+

S
+

+
+

Hot packs release heat => H < 0

Phase change from solid to aqueous => more disorderly => S > 0
Since H < 0 and S > 0, and given that the change occurs spontaneously, G < 0

Q3.

Consider the equilibrium:

Zn(s) + Fe2O3(s) ZnO(s) + 2FeO(s)
For this reaction H = -58.8 kJmol-1 and G = -65.8kJmol-1
Calculate the entropy change for this reaction and explain its value in terms of the reacting
particles of the reaction.
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Using Go = H0 TS0,
S0 = [-58.8 (-65.8)] / 298 = 0.0235 kJmol-1K-1
There are more particles on the product side than on the reactant side. As the reaction
occurs, disorder increases as there would be more ways to arrange the greater number
of particles. Thermal chaos also increases since the greater number of collisions
between more particles would give rise to a greater spread in the energy distribution of
the particles.
Q4.

Stratospheric ozone that protects the earth against harmful ultraviolet radiation is being
depleted by the anthropogenic introduction of various gases into the atmosphere. The most
destructive ozone depletion processes are catalytic cycles in which trace amounts of gases
are able to destroy large quantities of ozone.
The overall reaction is shown below:
O3 (g) + O (g) 2 O2 (g)
(i)
Given the standard enthalpy change of formation of O3 (g) is + 142.67 kJ mol-1 and
using relevant data from the Data Booklet, calculate the enthalpy change of the above
reaction.
Hf (O (g)) = Bond dissociation energy of O=O
= x 496 kJ mol-1
= + 248 kJ mol-1
Hreaction = Hf,products - Hf,reactants
= 0 (+142.67 + 248)
= - 391 kJ mol-1
(ii)

The standard entropy change of the reaction between O3 (g) and O (g) is
+10.17 kJ mol-1 K-1. Use the data to decide if the reaction is spontaneous at
-273 oC, and predict how G will change with increasing temperature.
G = H TS
G = - 391 0 (+10.17)
= - 391 kJ mol-1
Since G < 0 , the reaction is thermodynamically feasible at - 273
spontaneous

C =>

Since H < 0 , G = H - TS is negative at all temperatures.

Since S is positive, -TS is negative, and the reaction become more spontaneous as T
increases.

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Q5.

Hydrazine, N2H4, has an ammonia-like odour and is derived from the same industrial chemical
processes that manufacture ammonia. It is used as rocket fuel and undergoes combustion to
produce nitrogen gas that can react in excess oxygen to produce nitrogen dioxide.
Nitrogen dioxide may undergo decomposition to produce nitrogen monoxide and oxygen.
(i)

Write a balanced equation, with state symbols, for the decomposition of one mole of
nitrogen dioxide.
NO2(g) NO(g) + O2(g

(ii)

Given that the S for the decomposition of nitrogen dioxide is +73.3 J mol-1 K-1, explain
the significance of the sign.
According to the equation in (i), the number of moles of gaseous products is
more than the number of moles of gaseous reactants. i.e. There is an increase in
number of moles of gases.
Thus, entropy increases since there are more gaseous particles moving
randomly and more ways to distribute the particles and energy. Hence, S > 0.

(iii)

The standard enthalpy change of formation, Hf, of NO2(g) and NO(g) are as follows:

Hf / kJ mol-1

NO(g)

NO2(g)

+90.2

+33.2

Determine the feasibility of the decomposition of nitrogen dioxide at 298 K.

Hreaction = Hf,products - Hf,reactants
= + 90.3 33.2 = + 57.1 kJ mol-1
G = H TS
= +57.1 298 (+73.3/1000) = +35.3 kJ mol-1
Since G > 0, the decomposition is not feasible.

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Q6.

In atmospheric pollution, nitrogen oxides commonly refer to a mixture of nitric oxide, NO, and
nitrogen dioxide, NO2, collectively represented as NOx.
Nitrogen dioxide, which can be classified as a free radical, exists in equilibrium with dinitrogen
tetroxide, N2O4, a powerful oxidiser which is highly toxic and corrosive.
N2O4(g)
(i)

2NO2(g)

The equilibrium constant Kc of a reaction is related to the absolute temperature, T (in

Kelvin), of the reacting conditions via the equation:

log10 K c ,T 2 log10 K c ,T 1

1 1
H
T1 T2
=
2.30 R

where a change in temperature from T1 to T2 changes the equilibrium constant from

Kc,T1 to Kc,T2 respectively and R is the molar gas constant.
Given that the equilibrium constant changes from 0.05 mol dm-3 at 300 K to 15 mol dm3

at 400 K for the above reaction, calculate the enthalpy change for the reaction. State

a major assumption made in this calculation.

1
1
H 300 400

lg15 lg 0.05 =
2.30 R
H = + 56.8 kJ mol-1
Assuming that H remains constant within the temperature range from 300 K to
400 K.

(ii)

Predict the sign of S for the reaction N2O4(g)

2NO2(g), showing your reasoning.

There is an increase in number of moles of gaseous particles.

Hence, S > 0.

(iii) Using your answers from part (i) and (ii), deduce how the spontaneity of the reaction
changes with temperature.
Since H > 0 and S > 0, the reaction becomes more spontaneous as T
increases.

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