Homework 9.5 [ENDORSED]

[Sabah Islam 1G]

For question 9.5, why are we supposed to use the equation delta S=-q/T for the entropy at 800 K and the equation delta S=q/T for the entropy at 200 K? Why is there a negative in one equation and no negative in another?

[Qining Jin 1F]

We use S=-q/T for the entropy at 800 K because heat released, and we use S=q/T for the entropy at 200 K because heat is absorbed by the reservoir

[Ramya Lakkaraju 1B]

Whenever the sign of something is not immediately obvious think about whether the system or the surroundings are gaining or losing heat; losing heat is always signified by a negative sign.

[Brigitte Phung 1F]

When it comes to these problems, it helps to look at the direction of heat transfer from each of the objects/systems involved! When heat is being released by an object, q is negative with respect to that object, whereas when heat is being absorbed by another object, q is positive.

[MCracchiolo 1C]

It goes along with the same concept of q(system)=-q(surroundings) where the heat released by one system must be absorbed by something else and vice versa

[Sarah 2F]

You can see that the system is losing heat so you add a negative to the reaction!

[Ammarah 2H]

Is S final - S initial a correct approach for these types of problems? Because you still get the right answer, I'm just not sure if it works for every problem.

[Swetha Sundaram 1E]

I'm pretty sure Sfinal -Sinitial works to solve most problems.

[Varsha Swamy 2J]

I think Sfinal - Sinitial works in general because that is the definition of delta S. In this case, I think it can be explained by the concept above; because the 800. K reservoir is losing heat, so its entropy when you calculate overall entropy change should be negative.

[Shreya Ramineni 2L]

Its based on system vs. surroundings and where the heat is transferring. Because heat goes from hot to cold, the 800 K part is losing and has a negative sign while the 200 K is gaining and has a positive sign.

[Dylan Mai 1D]

what are the units for delta S? sometimes it is per mol and sometimes it is not. I assume this depends on the question?

[Chem_Mod]

The units for entropy are Joules per Kelvin, but molar entropies can appear as Joules per mole Kelvin