Chapter 19: Problem 106
The following processes were all discussed in Chapter \(18,\) "Chemistry of the Environment." Estimate whether the entropy of the system increases or decreases during each process: (a) photodissociation of \(\mathrm{O}_{2}(g),(\mathbf{b})\) formation of ozone from oxygen molecules and oxygen atoms, \((\mathbf{c})\) diffusion of CFCs into the stratosphere, (d) desalination of water by reverse osmosis.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding Entropy
Analyzing Photodissociation of \(\mathrm{O}_2(g)\)
Formation of Ozone from Oxygen Molecules and Atoms
Diffusion of CFCs into the Stratosphere
Desalination of Water by Reverse Osmosis
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Photodissociation
- Oxygen photodissociation, light energy separates \( \mathrm{O}_2 \) (Oxygen) into two separate oxygen atoms.
- The increase in the number of particles, from one molecule to two separate atoms, leads to a higher level of disorder or randomness.
- As a result, there is an increase in entropy, because the system has become more chaotic with more particles moving independently.
Ozone Formation
- Begins with the splitting of an oxygen molecule \( \mathrm{O}_2 \) into two free oxygen atoms under ultraviolet light.
- These individual oxygen atoms then collide with other \( \mathrm{O}_2 \) molecules to form ozone (\( \mathrm{O}_3 \)).
- This process reduces the number of independent particles, as individual atoms form more complex molecules (ozone), thereby decreasing system randomness.
- The decrease in independent, random particles means a decrease in the system’s entropy.
Diffusion
- When CFCs are released, they spread from their concentrated release point into the vastness of the stratosphere.
- The particles move randomly and spread out, increasing the overall disorder of the system.
- This spreading out results in an increase in entropy, as the distribution of particles becomes more even and less concentrated.
Desalination
- Seawater is pushed through a semi-permeable membrane.
- This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through, effectively separating dissolved salts from the water.
- This process takes a disordered mixture of salt and water molecules and creates distinct, more ordered systems: fresh water and concentrated salt brine.
- Because the system moves towards order—separating molecules that were once evenly mixed—the entropy decreases.