Grade

12
Self-Learning Module in GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
Lesson: ENTROPY
Quarter: 4 Week: 1 Day and Time: ____________________
Learning competency/ies:
• Predict the spontaneity of a process based on entropy
(STEM-GC11TIVa-b-140);
• Explain the second law of thermodynamics and its significance
(STEM-GC11TIVa-b-142); and,
• Use Gibbs’ free energy to determine the direction of a reaction.
(STEM-GC11TIVa-b-143)

Learning Tasks:
Study Notebook Activity Sheet
✓ What I know, pp.1-3 ✓ What’s more, p. 9
✓ What’s In, p.4 ✓ What I have learned, p. 10
✓ What’s New, p. 4 ✓ Assessment pp. 11-12

I. Introduction:

The module is will primarily discuss about Spontaneous change,

Entropy and Free energy, wherein after going through this module, you are
expected to:
1. Determine the spontaneity of a process based on entropy;
2. State and explain the second law of thermodynamics and its
significance; and,
3. Use Gibbs’ free energy to determine the direction of a reaction.

What I Know
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. What process is being referred to as the measure of the randomness, chaos,
or freedom of movement of particles?
A. Entropy C. Gibbs’ Free Energy
B. Enthalpy D. Spontaneity

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2. What Law states that “In a closed or fully isolated system, unconstrained
energy spontaneously tends to disperse, to spread out, from more
concentrated forms to less concentrated forms”?
A. First Law of Thermodynamics
B. Second Law of Thermodynamics
C. Third Law of Thermodynamics
D. Fourth Law of Thermodynamics
3. What particular process is considered as the consequences of the second
law of thermodynamics?
A. Enthalpy C. Gibbs’ Free Energy
B. Entropy D. Spontaneity
4. What is considered as the measure of the potential for reversible or
maximum work that may be done by a system at constant temperature and
pressure?
A. Enthalpy C. Gibbs’ Free Energy
B. Entropy D. Spontaneity
5. Who defined the thermodynamic property that predict whether a process
will occur spontaneously at constant temperature and pressure?
A. Germain Hess C. James Chadwick
B. Josiah Willard Gibbs D. Rudolph Clausius
6. If the entropy of the universe does not change for reversible processes, what
will happen to spontaneous processes?
A. it will decrease C. it will become 0
B. it will increase D. none of the above
7. What is the other term for Gibbs’ free energy?
A. Gibbs function C. Helmholtz free energy
B. Free Enthalpy D. Entropy Energy
8. When does the idea about Gibbs’ free energy was formally defined?
A. 1875 B. 1876 C. 1887 D. 1888
9. Which process will occur on its own, without any energy input from the
outside?
A. Enthalpy C. nonspontaneous
B. Entropy D. spontaneous
10. What does the symbol ΔG means?
A. Change in enthalpy C. Amount of free energy
B. Change in entropy D. Helmholtz free energy

11. Which of the following is an example of spontaneous process

A. a ball will roll down an incline
B. ice will melt into water
C. radioisotope will decay
D. all of the above
12. Which of the following symbol represents the change in entropy?
A. ΔG B. ΔH C. ΔS D. ΔT
13. What is the SI unit for Gibbs energy?
A. kilojoule B. kilohertz C. kilowatt D. kilo
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14. What will be the value of ΔG if the entropy of the universe stays the same?
A. it will decrease C. it will become 0
B. it will increase D. none of the above
15. The sign of a Gibbs energy value may be used to determine whether or not
a chemical reaction proceeds spontaneously, which of the following inference
will take place if ΔG is zero?
A. additional energy must be input for the reaction to occur.
B. the process is at equilibrium and no net change is occurring over
time.
C. the reaction is thermodynamically favorable and will occur
spontaneously.
D. all of the above might necessarily occur.

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 LESSON
1
ENTROPY

What’s In
A. Directions: Determine the spontaneity of the following processes as to
SPONTANEOUS or NONSPONTANEOUS

____________1. Spreading of fragrance of a perfume throughout the room

____________2. Separation of N2 and O2 molecules in air
____________3. Fixing of broken watch
____________4. Extraction of salt from seawater
____________5. Dissolving of sugar
____________6. Rusting of iron
____________7. Burning of wood
____________8. Breaking of glass
____________9. Heating of calcium carbonate to give off CaO and CO2
____________10. Flow of water down a hill

What’s New
Directions: Determine if the entropy change will be positive (+ S) or negative
(-S) for the following reactions:
____________1. (NH4)2Cr2O7(s) → Cr2O3(s) + 4 H2O(l) + CO2(g)
____________2. 2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(g)
____________3. PCl5 → PCl3 + Cl2(g)
____________4. 4 NH3(g) + 5 O2(g) → 4 NO(g) + 6 H2O(g)
____________5. C2H8(g) + 5 O2(g) → 3 CO2(g) + 4 H2O(g)
____________6. 2 CO(g) + O2(g) → 2 CO2(g)
____________7. 2 H2O2(l) → 2 H2O(l) + O2(g)
____________8. 2 H2S(g) + 3 O2(g) → 2 H2O(l) + 2 SO2(g)
____________9. 2 NO(g) + O2(g) → 2 NO2(g)
____________10. C6H12O6 + 6 O2 → 6 CO2 + 6 H2O

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 What is It

ENTROPY
Entropy is a measure of the randomness, chaos, or freedom of movement
of particles. Standard molar entropy is denoted by the symbol S° and usually
has the unit’s joules per mole Kelvin (J/mol·K). It is a consequence of the
Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that “In a closed or fully
isolated system, unconstrained energy spontaneously tends to disperse, to
spread out, from more concentrated forms to less concentrated forms”.
Entropy can be thought of as a measure of the randomness of a system.
Spontaneous reactions are associated with an increase in entropy, or the
disorderliness of a system and its surroundings. Here, the increase should
refer to the total or net entropy, wherein the sum should be positive. The
entropy of the universe tends to always increase. This increase in entropy is
the essence of the second law of thermodynamics. Usually, entropy increases
if the reaction yields gases; the reaction can then be classified as spontaneous.
On the other hand, if the reaction involves the conversion of a gas to a solid or
liquid, the entropy tends to decrease.
The entropy of a substance depends on the temperature and on its
physical phase. Entropy changes are based on a change in volume and on a
change in heat, as given by ΔS = Sfinal - Sinitial.

Entropy Changes
Entropy changes for a reaction can be calculated the same way we used
for ΔH: ΔS°reaction = ΣS°products - ΣS°reactants

Note for pure elements: S° ≠ 0

ΔH° = 0
Entropy Changes in surroundings, heat that flows into or out of the
system also changes the entropy of the surroundings.
−𝒒𝒔𝒚𝒔
For an isothermal process: 𝚫𝑺𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒓 = 𝑻
−𝒒𝒔𝒚𝒔 −𝚫𝐇°
At constant pressure, qsys is simply ΔH for the system. 𝚫𝐒°𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒓 = =
𝑻 𝑻
−𝚫𝐇°
Thus, entropy change is expressed as: 𝚫𝐒°𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫 = 𝑻

How to calculate the Change in Entropy from Heat of Reaction

Sample problem:
Calculate the entropy of the surroundings for the following reactions at 25 0C.
a.) C2H8(g) + 5 O2(g) → 3 CO2(g) + 4H2O(g) ΔH = -2045 kJ
b.) H2O(l) → H2O(g) ΔH = +44 kJ

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Solution:
The change in entropy of the surroundings after a chemical reaction at
constant pressure
and temperature can be expressed by the formula
−𝚫𝐇°
𝚫𝐒°𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫 =
𝑻
Where:
ΔSsurr is the change in entropy of the surroundings
-ΔH is heat of reaction
T = Absolute Temperature in Kelvin
Reaction A
−𝚫𝐇°
𝚫𝐒°𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫 =
𝑻

−(−𝟐𝟎𝟒𝟓𝐤𝐉)
𝚫𝐒°𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫 =
(𝟐𝟓 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)
**Remember to convert °C to K**
𝟐𝟎𝟒𝟓
𝚫𝐒°𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫 =
𝟐𝟗𝟖

ΔS°surr = 6.86 kJ/K or 6860 J/K

Note the increase in the surrounding entropy since the reaction was
exothermic. An exothermic reaction is indicated by a positive ΔS value. This
means heat was released to the surroundings or that the environment gained
energy. This reaction is an example of a combustion reaction. If you recognize
this reaction type, you should always expect an exothermic reaction and
positive change in entropy.
Reaction B
−𝚫𝐇°
𝚫𝐒°𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫 =
𝑻
−(+𝟒𝟒𝐤𝐉)
𝚫𝐒°𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐫 =
(𝟐𝟗𝟖𝑲)

ΔS°surr = -0.15 kJ/K or -150 J/K

This reaction needed energy from the surroundings to proceed and
reduced the entropy of the surroundings. A negative ΔS value indicates an
endothermic reaction occurred, which absorbed heat from the surroundings.
How to Predict the Sign of the Entropy Change of a Reaction

How to determine if the entropy change will be positive or negative?

Analyzed the given examples below:

a) (NH4)2Cr2O7(s) → Cr2O3(s) + 4 H2O(l) + CO2(g)

b) 2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(g)
c) PCl5 → PCl3 + Cl2(g)

6
Solution:
Entropy of a reaction refers to the positional probabilities for each
reactant. An atom in gas phase has more options for position than the
same atom in a solid phase. This is why gases have more entropy than solids.
In reactions, the positional probabilities must be compared for all the reactants
to the products produced. If the reaction involves only gases, the entropy is
related to the total number of moles on either side of the reaction. A decrease
in the number of moles on the product side means lower entropy. An increase
in the number of moles on the product side means higher entropy. If the
reaction involves multiple phases, the production of a gas typically increases
the entropy much more than any increase in moles of a liquid or solid.

Reaction A
(NH4)2Cr2O7(s) → Cr2O3(s) + 4 H2O(l) + CO2(g)
The reactant side contains only one mole where the product side has six
moles produced. There was also a gas produced. The change in entropy will be
positive.

Reaction B
2 H2(g) + O2(g) → 2 H2O(g)
There are 3 moles on the reactant side and only 2 on the product side.
The change in entropy will be negative.

Reaction C
PCl5 → PCl3 + Cl2(g)
There are more moles on the product side than on the reactant side,
therefore the change in entropy will be positive.

GIBBS FREE ENERGY

Gibbs free energy is a measure of the potential for reversible or
maximum work that may be done by a system at constant temperature and
pressure. It is a thermodynamic property that was defined in 1876 by Josiah
Willard Gibbs to predict whether a process will occur spontaneously at
constant temperature and pressure. Gibbs free energy G is defined as
G = H - TS
where H is the enthalpy, T is the temperature in Kelvin and S represents
entropy. The SI unit for Gibbs energy is the kilojoule. For a process that takes
place at constant temperature, the change

Changes in the Gibbs free energy ΔG correspond to changes in free

energy for processes at constant temperature and pressure. The change in
Gibbs free energy change is the maximum non-expansion work obtainable
under these conditions in a closed system; ΔG is negative for spontaneous
processes, positive for nonspontaneous processes, and zero for processes at
equilibrium. Thus, the sign of a Gibbs energy value may be used to determine
whether or not a chemical reaction proceeds spontaneously. If the sign for ΔG
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is positive, additional energy must be input for the reaction to occur. If the
sign for ΔG is negative, the reaction is thermodynamically favorable and will
occur spontaneously.
ΔG = ΔH - TΔS
Gibbs free energy is also known as (G), Gibbs' free energy, Gibbs
energy, or Gibbs function. Sometimes the term "free enthalpy" is used to
distinguish it from Helmholtz free energy.
The terminology recommended by the International Union of Pure and
Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) is Gibbs energy or Gibbs function.

Determine the ΔG using ΔH and ΔS data.

The old camera flash bulb used Mg metal sealed in a bulb with oxygen.
The reaction at 25 0C and 1 atm is:
Mg + ½ O2 → MgO
S° J/K mol: 32.7 205.0 26.9
ΔHfo kJ/mol: 0 0 -601.2

Solve for the ΔH, ΔS and ΔG, then explain what will happen to the
reaction once initiated.

Solution:
A. Calculate the ΔS°
ΔS° = ΣnS° (products) − ΣnS° (reactants)
= [(1) So MgO] – [(1) So Mg + (½) So O2]
= [(1) (26.9)] – [(1)(32.7) + (½) (205.0)]
ΔS° = -108.3 J/K mol
B. Calculate the ΔH°
ΔH° = Σ nΔHf° (products) – Σ nΔHf° (reactants)
= [(1) ΔHfo MgO] – [(1) ΔHfo Mg + (½) ΔHfo O2]
= [(1) (-601.2)] – [(1) (0) + (½) (0)]
ΔH° = -601.2kJ
C. Calculate the ΔG
ΔG = ΔH - TΔS
= 601.2kJ - [ (298K) (-108.3J/K) ( 1kJ/1000J) ]
= -601.2 + 32.3kJ
ΔG = -568.9kJ

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 Since ΔG is negative the reaction will form MgO. Looking up ΔGf (MgO)
= -569 kJ based on ΔG = [ΔGf (MgO) ] – [ΔGf (Mg) + ½ ΔGf (O2)] this reaction
occurs rapidly once initiated.

What’s More
Directions: Solve the following problem below.
1. For the reaction:
Hg(l) + ½ O2 → HgO(s)
Use absolute entropies from the table below to calculate the standard
entropy change ΔS°, for the formation of 1 mole of HgO (s) from its
elements and given the standard enthalpy of formation, ΔH0f, of HgO
which is -90.7 kJ/mol, calculate the standard free energy of
formation ΔG0, of HgO.
Absolute entropy (J/mol.K) at 25 0C and 1atm
Substances So
Hg (l) 77.4
HgO(s) 72.0
02(g) 205.03

2. For the reaction:

NH4Cl(s) → NH3(g) + HCl(g)
ΔS0 = +285 J/K, ΔH0 = + 177kJ, and ΔG0 = +91.9 kJ at 25 0C.
a). Is the reaction spontaneous at 250C?
b). Assume that ΔH and ΔS do not change with an increase in
temperature, Calculate the value ΔG0 at 500 0C. Is the reaction
spontaneous at this temperature?

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 What I Have Learned
Directions: Write TRUE if the statement is correct and FALSE if the
statement is incorrect, write your answer in the space before the number.
_________ 1. Entropy is a measure of the randomness, chaos, or freedom of
movement of particles.
_________ 2. If ΔG is negative, the process is spontaneous.
_________ 3. In Gibbs free energy G is defined as G = H – TS.
_________ 4. If ΔG is zero, then the process is at equilibrium and no net change
is occurring over time.
_________ 5. Second law of thermodynamics, states that “In a closed or fully
isolated system, unconstrained energy spontaneously tends to
disperse, to spread out, from more concentrated forms to less
concentrated forms”.
_________ 6. Changes in the Gibbs free energy G correspond to changes in free
energy for processes at constant temperature and pressure.
_________ 7. Free energy may also refer to the energy that powers a non-
hypothetical perpetual motion machine.
_________ 8. Entropy is a thermodynamic function is used in order to express
the spontaneity of a reaction more directly.
_________ 9. Heat that flows into or out of the system also changes the entropy
of the surroundings.
_________ 10. If the entropy of the universe decreases, then the direction of
spontaneous change is positive ΔG for system.

10
 Assessment
Directions: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. What process is referred to as the measure of the randomness of a system?
A. Enthalpy C. Gibbs Free Energy
B. Entropy D. Spontaneity
2. Who is the American scientist that defined the thermodynamic property that
determines whether a process will occur spontaneously at constant
temperature and pressure?
A. Germain Hess C. Josiah Willard Gibbs
B. James Chadwick D. Rudolph Clausius
3. If the entropy of the universe decreases, what will then be the ΔG of the
system?
A. it will decrease C. it will become 0
B. it will increase D. none of the above
4. What is the other terminology recommended by the International Union of
Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) for Gibbs’ free energy?
A. Gibbs function C. Helmholtz free energy
B. Free Enthalpy D. Entropy Energy
5. Which of the following is NOT spontaneous?
A. dissolution of sugar in a hot chocolate drink
B. melting of ice tubes at -5 0C and 1 atm
C. vaporization of water at 100 0C and 1 atm
D. formation of water by combining hydrogen and oxygen gases
6. Which process will not occur on its own, without any energy input from the
outside?
A. enthalpy C. nonspontaneous
B. entropy D. spontaneous
7. Which of the following process does NOT involve an increase in entropy?
A. melting of gold nuggets
B. sublimation of iodine crystals
C. arranging of books in a shelf by height
D. dissolution of salt in water
8. Which of the following is an example of nonspontaneous process?
A. ice will melt into water
B. radioisotope will decay
C. a ball will roll down an incline
D. separation of N2 and O2 molecules in air
9. Which of the following has the greatest entropy?
A. H2O(S) C. H2O(g)
B. H2O(l) D. All have the same entropy
10. What will happen to ΔG if the entropy of the universe remains constant?
A. it will decrease C. it will become 0
B. it will increase D. none of the above

11
11. The sign of a Gibbs energy value may be used to determine whether or not
a chemical reaction proceeds spontaneously, which of the following
inference will take place if ΔG is zero?
A. additional energy must be input for the reaction to occur.
B. the process is at equilibrium and no net change is occurring over
time.
C. the reaction is thermodynamically favorable and will occur
spontaneously.
D. all of the above might necessarily occur.

12. Which of the following statement is NOT true about the chemical reaction?
H2(g) + ½ O2(g) → H2O(l) ∆H = -286kJ/mol-1
A. The reaction is exothermic.
B. The reaction is spontaneous.
C. The change in entropy is positive.
D. The enthalpy of the reactant is greater than that of the product.
13. Which of the following reaction will yield a positive entropy?
A. 2 H2O2(l) → 2 H2O(l) + O2(g)
B. 2 H2S(g) + 3 O2(g) → 2 H2O(l) + 2 SO2(g)
C. 2 NO(g) + O2(g) → 2 NO2(g)
D. CO(g) + 2 H2(g) → CH3OH(l)
14. Calculate the entropy of the surroundings for the given reactions at 250C.
C2H8(g) + 5 O2(g) → 3 CO2(g) + 4H2O(g) ΔH = -2045 kJ

A. 6860 J/K C. 8850 J/K

B. 7840 J/K D. 9810 J/K
15. For the reaction:
Hg(l) + ½ O2 → HgO(s)
There is about -107.9 J/K entropy change ΔS°, for the formation of 1
mole of HgO (s) from its elements and ΔH0f, of HgO which is -90.7 kJ/mol,
calculate the standard free energy of formation ΔG0, of HgO.
A. – 25.8 kJ C. +285 kJ
B. – 58.5 kJ D. +9.81 kJ

12
 10. Positive Positive 5.
9. Negative Positive 4.
8. Negative Positive 3.
7. Positive Negative 2.
6. Negative Positive 1.
What’s New

10. SPONTANEOUS SPONTANEOUS 5.

9. NONSPONTANEOUS NONSPONTANEOUS 4.
8. SPONTANEOUS NONSPONTANEOUS 3.
7. SPONTANEOUS NONSPONTANEOUS 2.
6. SPONTANEOUS SPONTANEOUS 1.
What’s In

15. B 12. C 9. D 6. B 3. B
14. C 11. D 8. B 5. B 2. B
13. A 10. C 7. B 4. C 1. A
What I Know
Answer Key:

References:
A. Books
Brown, Theodore L. et. al. 2002. Chemistry: The Central Science, 9th
Edition. Printice Hall.

LeMay, E.H. Jr., Robblee, K.M., Brower, H., Douglas C. 1996.

Chemistry Connections to Our Changing World. New Jersey:
Prentice Hall, Inc.

Mendoza, Estrella E., et. al. 1997. Science and Technology: Chemistry.
Quezon City: Phoenix Publishing House Inc.,

Mortimer, Charles E. 1975. Chemistry: A Conceptual Approach. New

York: Van Nostrand Co.,

B. Online and Other Sources

https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-free-energy-605148

https://www.thoughtco.com/definition-of-entropy-604458

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