Homework Help: Chemistry

Posted by Confused on Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 12:39am.

One of my homework problems deals with finding the change in entropy of the surroundings using the equation

delta(S)= -delta(H)/T(temp.)

The numbers given were T=263K and delta(H)fusion=6.0*10^(3) J/mol

I know how to solve the problem, I just want to know why it is that even though the answer I got was negative, "it must be positive because of the surroundings." I was hoping someone would explain the concept behind this just so I understand. Thanks!

Chemistry - DrBob222, Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 1:19am
You didn't post all of the problem so this is the best guess I can come up with but I assume it is because delta H for the process in question is negative which makes -dH/T positive.

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