Heat transfer from the system to the surroundings has a large effect on äSsurr ___________.
a. when the temperature of the surroundings is low.
b. when the temperature of the surroundings is high.
c. when the temperature of the system is low.
d. when the temperature of the system is high.
e. at any temperature as the amount of heat transferred is independent of temperature.
The effect of heat transfer from the system to the surroundings on äSsurr can be determined by considering the fundamental principles of thermodynamics.
In this case, we can refer to the concept of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that the total entropy (äStotal) of an isolated system always increases or remains constant. To analyze the effect of heat transfer on äSsurr, we need to consider its relationship with the entropy change of the system (äSsys).
The entropy change of the system (äSsys) is given by the equation:
äSsys = qrev / Tsys,
where qrev represents the heat transfer between the system and its surroundings in reversible conditions, and Tsys is the temperature of the system.
Similarly, the entropy change of the surroundings (äSsurr) is given by:
äSsurr = -qrev / Tsurr,
where Tsurr is the temperature of the surroundings.
From these equations, we can observe that äSsurr is directly proportional to the amount of heat transferred (qrev) and inversely proportional to the temperature of the surroundings (Tsurr).
Based on this analysis, we can deduce that heat transfer from the system to the surroundings will have a large effect on äSsurr when the temperature of the surroundings (Tsurr) is low. This is because at lower temperatures, the denominator in the äSsurr equation is smaller, resulting in a larger magnitude for äSsurr.
Therefore, the correct answer is (a) when the temperature of the surroundings is low.