entropy

[dl9006]

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C4H10 would have higher entropy than C3H8 since C4H10 is a more complex molecule with more atoms.

is this correct?


usually when you see thermo questions regarding entropy, either the reactants or products have more species and thus you know which side entropy favors.

I wasn't sure if having more atoms in a molecule increases entropy like it says in the DAT destroyer.

 

[sixkiller]

C4H10 would have higher entropy than C3H8 since C4H10 is a more complex molecule with more atoms.

is this correct?


usually when you see thermo questions regarding entropy, either the reactants or products have more species and thus you know which side entropy favors.

I wasn't sure if having more atoms in a molecule increases entropy like it says in the DAT destroyer.

Entropy in the strictest sense has to do with the number of possible configurations.

Thus, on a compound for compound basis AND assuming both are in the same PHASE, C4H10 has greater absolute entropy.

Structural complexity follows an increase in absolute entropy because more configurations (ways in which energy can be distrubted) are possible.

However, keep in mind that structural complexity is only a good gauge of relative absolute entropy when all compounds compared are in the same phase.

If phases differ, PHASE is almost always the better criteria in determining relative absolute entropy.