A sample of of helium gas

CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · A Level · Chemistry · Thermodynamics · Thermodynamics

Problem

A sample of

3.00\,\text{mol}

of helium gas, initially at

300\,\text{K}

, undergoes an isothermal expansion from

4.00\,\text{L}

12.00\,\text{L}

. The gas behaves ideally. (a) Calculate the entropy change,

\Delta S

, for the helium during the expansion. Show your work, including appropriate units. (b) The same sample is instead heated from

300\,\text{K}

600\,\text{K}

while simultaneously expanding isobarically to

8.00\,\text{L}

. Without performing additional calculations, state whether the overall entropy change for the second process is greater than, less than, or equal to the value obtained in part (a). Justify your prediction with reference to matter and energy dispersal.

Related theory

Thermodynamics
Entropy and second law
Spontaneity and Entropy

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