Second Law Statements
Mediumchemistry
Which statement correctly expresses the Second Law of Thermodynamics?
Select the correct option:
Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
Entropy of an isolated system never decreases
- Clausius/Planck Statement: Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder body to a hotter body.
- Entropy Interpretation: The total entropy of an isolated system (or the universe as a whole) always increases over time for any spontaneous process.
- Mathematical form: ΔStotal≥0.
- Directionality: This law defines the 'arrow of time' and explains why natural processes are irreversible.
- Comparison: Option 2 is the First Law. Option 3 is a misunderstanding of the Third Law.
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About This Question
- Subject
- chemistry
- Chapter
- chemical thermodynamics
- Topic
- second law statements
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Entropy of an isolated system never decreases
- Clausius/Planck Statement: Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder body to a hotter body.
- Entropy Interpretation: The total entropy of an isolated system (or the universe as a whole) always increases over time for any spontaneous process.
- Mathematical form: ΔStotal≥0.
- Directionality: This law defines the 'arrow of time' and explains why natural processes are irreversible.
- Comparison: Option 2 is the First Law. Option 3 is a misunderstanding of the Third Law.
This medium difficulty chemistry question is from the chapter chemical thermodynamics, covering the topic of second law statements. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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