CHEM 1B Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Free Energy and Thermodynamics
Document Summary
2nd law of thermodynamics: energy spreads out from a more concentrated to a less concentrated form. A spontaneous process is one that occurs without ongoing outside intervention ( e. g. work by some external force) Spontaneity vs speed of a reaction; spontaneity = direction in which and the extent to which a chemical reactions proceeds, speed = how fast it takes place. E. g. conversion from diamond to graphite; extremely slow kinetically. Rate of spontaneous process can be incr by using a catalyst, but a catalyst can. Catalysts affect only the rate of a reaction, not the spontaneity. Nonspontaneous process can be made spontaneous by coupling it to another process that"s spontaneous or by supplying energy from an external source. 19. 3 entropy and the second law of thermodynamics. Although most spontaneous processes are exothermic, some spontaneous process are endothermic. E. g. liquid water spilled on floor at room temp spontaneous evaporates. Enthalpy is not the sole criterion for spontaneity.
