Which of the following physical changes would be expected to have a negative sign for D S _system?
I. Dissolving oxygen gas, O₂, in water.
II. Freezing ice cubes.
III. Breaking glass.

Question

Which of the following physical changes would be expected to have a negative sign for D S _system? I. Dissolving oxygen gas, O₂, in water. II. Freezing ice cubes. III. Breaking glass.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

I and II involve a decrease in the disorder of the system. Dissolving gas into liquid and freezing water into ice both result in a more ordered state, which corresponds to a negative change in entropy ($ \Delta S $). Breaking glass, however, increases disorder, suggesting a positive $\Delta S$, and is not included.

Which of the Following Physical Changes Would Be Expected to Have