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How does the spontaneity of a reaction change with temperature?

The spontaneity of a chemical reaction can vary with temperature, influenced by the changes in enthalpy and entropy associated with the reaction.

The spontaneity of a reaction is quantified by the Gibbs free energy change, denoted as ΔG\Delta G. The relationship is expressed by the equation:

ΔG=ΔHTΔS\Delta G = \Delta H - T \Delta S

In this equation, ΔH\Delta H represents the change in enthalpy, TT is the absolute temperature measured in Kelvin, and ΔS\Delta S denotes the change in entropy.

For a reaction that has a negative ΔH\Delta H (indicating it is exothermic) and a positive ΔS\Delta S (indicating an increase in disorder), the reaction will be spontaneous at all temperatures. This is because both terms in the equation contribute to a negative ΔG\Delta G, which signifies spontaneity.

Conversely, if a reaction exhibits a positive ΔH\Delta H (indicating it is endothermic) and a negative ΔS\Delta S (indicating a decrease in disorder), the reaction will be non-spontaneous at all temperatures. In this case, both terms lead to a positive ΔG\Delta G, indicating non-spontaneity.

The more intriguing scenarios arise when ΔH\Delta H and ΔS\Delta S have opposite signs. If ΔH\Delta H is positive and ΔS\Delta S is negative, the reaction will be spontaneous at low temperatures. This occurs because the term TΔST \Delta S is small at low temperatures, allowing the positive ΔH\Delta H to dominate, resulting in a negative ΔG\Delta G. Conversely, if ΔH\Delta H is negative and ΔS\Delta S is positive, the reaction is spontaneous at high temperatures. In this situation, the term TΔST \Delta S becomes significant at elevated temperatures, allowing the negative ΔH\Delta H to dominate, thus leading to a negative ΔG\Delta G.

In summary, the spontaneity of a reaction can indeed change with temperature, which is determined by the relative magnitudes and signs of the changes in enthalpy and entropy. Grasping this concept is essential for predicting whether a reaction will occur under specific conditions; it is a fundamental principle of thermodynamics in chemistry.

Answered by: Prof. Sophie Harris
IB Chemistry Tutor
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