A process which is unfavorable with respect to enthalpy, but favorable with respect to entrophy
a)could occur at high temperatures, but not at lower temperatures
b)could not occur regardless of temperature
c)could occur at any temperature
d)could occur at low temperatures, but not at higher temperatures
e) none of the above
To determine the answer, we need to understand the relationship between enthalpy and entropy.
Enthalpy is a measure of the heat energy that is either released or absorbed in a chemical reaction, while entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness of a system.
If a process is unfavorable with respect to enthalpy, it means that the reaction releases more heat energy than it absorbs. On the other hand, if a process is favorable with respect to entropy, it means that the reaction leads to an increase in disorder or randomness.
Based on these definitions, we can determine that the correct answer is:
d) could occur at low temperatures, but not at higher temperatures
At low temperatures, the unfavorable enthalpy change can be overcome by the favorable increase in entropy. This is because when the temperature is low, the change in entropy becomes more significant compared to the enthalpy change, allowing the process to occur.
However, at higher temperatures, the unfavorable enthalpy change becomes more significant compared to the favorable increase in entropy. This makes the process less likely to occur as the enthalpy change dominates over the entropy change.
Therefore, the correct option is d) could occur at low temperatures, but not at higher temperatures.
delta G = delta H -T*delta S.
delta G must be negative for the reaction to occur spontaneously.
delta H is unfavorable; therefore, it probably is +.
delta S is favorable; therefore, it is positive.
Now use that information to answer the question.