The Peon Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 In terms of entropy, if a chemical reaction is endergonic, will the reactants always have more total molecules than the products? And if exergonic, will it be the opposite, and the reactants will have more total molecules than the products?Ex:2C4H10 + 13O2 ---> 8CO2 + 10H2O Reactants: 15 total molecules Products: 18 total molecules Reaction is exergonic, because the product has more total molecules than the reactants. Ex 2:CuSO4 + 2NaOH ---> Cu(OH)2 + Na2SO4 Reactants: 3 total molecules Products: 2 total molecules Reaction is endergonic, because the product has less total molecules than the reactants.
Sensei Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 (edited) In terms of entropy, if a chemical reaction is endergonic, will the reactants always have more total molecules than the products? Example against your theory: 2H2 + O2 -> 2H2O Reactants: 3 total molecules Products: 2 total molecules Reaction is exothermic. Other example: 2 C2H2 + 5 O2 -> 4 CO2 + 2 H2O Edited February 15, 2014 by Sensei 1
studiot Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 (edited) Remember that the terms exothermic and endothermic refer to heat energy only, and does not include entropy effects directly. There are more general energy balances, Chemists tend prefer the Gibbs Free Energy, which does include entropy in the TdS term. Edited February 15, 2014 by studiot 1
studiot Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 Here is areference that may assist http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exergonic_reaction
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