Cambridge International A Level Chemistry
Answers to SAQs
Chapter 23
1 a Raise 2 (for two gas jars) to the power of the
number of molecules (4):
24 = 2 × 2 × 2 × 2 = 8
b As there are eight ways, the probability of any
one of these arrangements is 1 in 8.
c i spontaneous (because there are more
ways of spreading out the sugar molecules
when they dissolve)
ii spontaneous (because there are more
ways of spreading out the ammonia
molecules when they mix with the air
molecules)
iii not spontaneous (because ice forms
at 0 °C and the energy transferred from
the surroundings at 10 °C gives the
molecules enough energy to move semi-
independently of each other and so there
are a greater number of ways of arranging
the energy in the liquid than in the solid)
iv spontaneous (because there is enough
energy given to the molecules at 20 °C for
some of them to escape, thus allowing
more spreading out of molecules in the
vapour than in the liquid)
v not spontaneous (because the strength
of the bonding between water molecules
alone is greater than the strength between
water and oil molecules; so the oil
molecules cannot mix and spread between
the water molecules)
vi not spontaneous (because the temperature
is not high enough to break bonds in the
limestone (calcium carbonate); the ions in
the calcium carbonate remain ordered)
2 a Bromine is a liquid, so its molecules are
able to rotate/slide over each other so
there is more disorder (higher entropy)
than in iodine, which is a solid, in which the
molecules cannot move.
b Both are gases but methane, CH4, is a
more complex molecule with two different
types of atom. Complex molecules tend to
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have greater entropy values than simpler
molecules.
c Mercury is a liquid, so its atoms are able to
rotate/slide over each other so there is more
disorder (higher entropy) than in sodium,
which is a solid, in which the atoms cannot
move.
d Although SO3 has only one oxygen atom more
than SO2, which makes SO3 a slightly more
complex molecule, SO2 has a much greater
entropy because it is a gas, whereas SO3 is
a liquid. The particles in gases move freely
from place to place and so there is more
disorder are many more ways of spreading
out the energy than in liquids whose particles
can only rotate/slide over each other and
vibrate.
3 a The entropy of the reactants is greater. Two
gases (high entropy and two molecules) are
being converted to a solid (low entropy and
one molecule).
b Difficult to decide. The product SO2 is a
gas, which is likely to have a higher entropy
than oxygen because it is a more complex
molecule. However, there are two molecules
on the left and only one on the right.
The entropy of the solid sulfur, however, is
low.
(The entropies in J K–1 mol–1:
Sʅ[S(s)] = 31.8 
Sʅ[O2(g)] = 205
Sʅ[SO2(g)] = 248.1
show that the sum of the entropies of the
reactants and the entropy of the product
are similar.)
c The entropy of the reactants is greater. One
of the reactants, carbon dioxide, is a gas, so
has a very high entropy. This outweighs the
entropies of the products which are both
solids. Solids have low entropies.
d The entropy of the reactants is greater. One
of the reactants, chlorine, is a gas, so has
a very high entropy. This outweighs the
entropies of the single product which is a
solid. Solids have low entropies.
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e The entropy of the products is greater. Two = 2 × 72.10 – {(2 × 51.20) + 165.0}

gases are produced (2 moles of gases) both of = 144.2 – 267.4
which have high entropy. The reactants have ΔSʅsystem = –123.2 J K–1 mol–1
only one gas (1 mole of gas). The entropies of
the solids are much smaller than those of the e ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
gases and so can be ignored. = 3 × Sʅ[MgO(s)] + 2 × Sʅ[Fe(s)] – {3 × Sʅ[Mg(s)] 
f Difficult to decide. There are equal numbers +  Sʅ[Fe2O3(s)]}
of moles of gases on each side of the = (3 × 26.90) + (2 × 27.30) – {(3 × 32.70) + 87.40}
equation. We would have to know the = 135.3 – 185.5
individual values of the entropies of each ΔSʅsystem = –50.2 J K–1 mol–1
molecule.
g The entropy of the products is greater. 5 a
enthalpy change = –393.5 × 1000
Reactants: potassium has low entropy = –393 500 J mol–1
because it is a solid; water has medium temperature in K = 0 + 273 K = 273 K
entropy because it is a liquid. –ΔHʅreaction
ΔSʅsurroundings = T
Products: aqueous potassium hydroxide has (–393 500)
medium entropy (not only is it a liquid, but = –  273
potassium ions and hydroxide ions are spread = +1441 J K–1 mol–1
out randomly in the solution); hydrogen has
b enthalpy change = +307.9 × 1000
high entropy because it is a gas.
= +307 900 J mol–1
If we assume that water and aqueous
temperature in K = 330 + 273 = 603 K
potassium hydroxide have similar entropies,
–ΔHʅreaction
the production of hydrogen gas causes the ΔSʅsurroundings = T
entropy of the products to be greater. (+307 900)
= –  603
h The entropy of the products is greater
= +1441 J K–1 mol–1
because carbon dioxide is a gas and therefore
has more disorder than either magnesium c enthalpy change = –271.1 × 1000
carbonate or the magnesium oxide. = –271 100 J mol–1
temperature in K = 298 K
4 a ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants –ΔHʅreaction
ΔSʅsurroundings = T
= 2 × Sʅ[H2O(l)] + Sʅ[O2(g)] – 2 × Sʅ[H2O2(l)] (–271 100)
= –  298
= (2 × 69.90) + 205.0 – 2 × 109.6
= 344.8 – 219.2 = +909.7 J K–1 mol–1
ΔSʅsystem = +125.6 J K–1 mol–1 d enthalpy change = +34.30 × 1000
b ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants = +34 300 J mol–1
temperature in K = –3 + 273 K = 270 K
= Sʅ[N2O(g)] + 2 × Sʅ[H2O(g)] – Sʅ[NH4NO3(s)]
–ΔHʅreaction
= 219.7 + 2 × 188.7 – 151.1 ΔSʅsurroundings = T
(+34 300)
= –  270
= 597.1 – 151.1
ΔSʅsystem = +446.0 J K–1 mol–1 = –127.0 J K–1 mol–1
c ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
= 2 × Sʅ[MgO(s)] – {2 × Sʅ[Mg(s)] + Sʅ[O2(g)]} 6 a
ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
= 2 × 26.90 – {(2 × 32.70) + 205.0} = Sʅ [H2S(g)] – {Sʅ[S(s)] + Sʅ[H2(g)]}
= 53.8 – 270.4 = 205.7 – {31.80 + 130.6}
ΔSʅsystem = –216.6 J K–1 mol–1 = 205.7 – 162.4
d ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants ΔSʅsystem = +43.3 J K–1 mol–1
= 2 × Sʅ[NaCl(s)] – {2 × Sʅ[Na(s)] + Sʅ[Cl2(g)]}

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ΔSʅsurroundings =
–ΔHʅreaction 7 a ΔSʅsurroundings is calculated from –ΔHʅreaction/T .
T So, as the temperature, T, increases, the
= – (–20.6 × 1000)
298 value of ΔSʅsurroundings gets less negative if the
= +69.1 J K–1 mol–1 value of ΔHʅreaction is positive. The enthalpy
change of the surroundings may then be
ΔSʅtotal = ΔSʅsystem + ΔSʅsurroundings
sufficiently low so that ΔSʅsystem + ΔSʅsurroundings is
= +43.3 + (+69.1) a positive entropy change.
ΔSʅtotal = +112 J K–1 mol–1 b i a system in which there is exchange of
b ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants energy with the surroundings but no
= Sʅ[C2N2(g)] – {2 × Sʅ[C(s)] + Sʅ[N2(g)]} loss or gain of matter to or from the
= 242.1 – {2 × 5.700 + 191.6} surroundings
= 242.1 – 203.0 ii The volume of gas is decreased, so the
carbon dioxide molecules are closer
ΔSʅsystem = +39.10 J K–1 mol–1
together. The closer the molecules, the
–ΔHʅreaction
ΔSʅsurroundings = T lower the degree of randomness or disorder
= – (+307.9 × 1000) and the lower the entropy. So the position
298 of equilibrium shifts towards the left, where
= –1033 J K–1 mol–1 there are fewer gas molecules. The calcium
ΔSʅtotal = ΔSʅsystem + ΔSʅsurroundings carbonate and calcium oxide play little part
= +39.10 – 1033 because their entropy is very low.
ΔSʅtotal = –994 J K–1 mol–1 iii zero; this is because at equilibrium
Sʅtotal (forward reaction)
c ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
= Sʅtotal (backward reaction)
= Sʅ[P4O10(s)] – {4 × Sʅ[P(s)] + 5 × Sʅ[O2(g)]}
= 228.9 – {4 × 41.10 + 5 × 205.0} 8 a Step 1: convert the value of ΔHʅr  to J mol–1
= 228.9 – 1189.4 –184.6 × 1000 = –184 600 J mol–1
ΔSʅsystem = –960.5 J K–1 mol–1 Step 2: calculate ΔSʅsystem
–ΔHʅreaction
ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
ΔSʅsurroundings = T = 2 × Sʅ[HCl(g)] – (Sʅ[H2(g)] + Sʅ[Cl2(g)])
= – (–2984 × 1000) = 2 × 186.8 – (130.6 + 165.0)
298
= 373.6 – 295.6
= +10 013 J K–1 mol–1
ΔSʅsystem = +78.0 J K–1 mol–1
ΔSʅtotal = ΔSʅsystem + ΔSʅsurroundings
Step 3: calculate ΔGʅ
= –960.5 + 10 013
ΔGʅ = ΔHʅreaction – TΔSʅsystem
ΔSʅtotal = +9053 J K–1 mol–1
= –184 600 – 298 × (+78.0)
d ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants ΔGʅ = –207 844 J mol–1
= 3 × Sʅ[CO2(g)] + 4 × Sʅ[H2O(l)]  = –208 kJ mol–1 (to 3 significant figures)
 – {Sʅ[C3H8(g)] + 5 × Sʅ[O2(g)]} As the value of ΔGʅ is negative, the reaction is
= (3 × 213.6) + (4 × 69.90) – {269.9 + 5 × 205.0} spontaneous at 298 K.
= 920.4 – 1294.9 b Step 1: convert the value of ΔHʅr  to J mol–1
ΔSʅsystem = –374.5 J K–1 mol–1 –890.3 × 1000 = –890300 J mol–1
–ΔHʅreaction Step 2: calculate ΔSʅsystem
ΔSʅsurroundings = T ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
= – (–2219.2 × 1000)
298 = Sʅ[CO2(g)] + 2 × Sʅ[H2O(l)] – Sʅ[CH4(g)] 
= +7447 J K–1 mol–1  + 2 × Sʅ[O2(g)]
= 213.6 + (2 × 69.9) – (186.2) + (2 × 205.0)
ΔSʅtotal = ΔSʅsystem + ΔSʅsurroundings
= 353.4 – 596.2
= –374.5 + 7446.9 ΔSʅsystem = –242.8 J K–1 mol–1
ΔSʅtotal = +7072 J K–1 mol–1

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Step 3: calculate ΔGʅ
ΔGʅ = ΔHʅreaction – TSʅsystem
= –890 300 – 298 × (–242.8)
ΔGʅ = –817 946 J mol–1
= –818 kJ mol–1 (to 3 significant figures)
As the value of ΔGʅ is negative, the reaction is
spontaneous at 298 K.
c Step 1: convert the value of ΔHʅr to J mol–1
–510.9 × 1000 = –510 900 J mol–1
9 a ΔGʅreaction = ΔGʅproducts – ΔGʅreactants
Step 2: calculate ΔSʅsystem
ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
= Sʅ[Na2O2(s)] – {(2 × Sʅ[Na(s)] + Sʅ[O2(g)])}
= 95.0 – (2 × 51.2) + 205.0.0)
= 95.0 – 302.4
ΔSʅsystem = –212.4 J K–1 mol–1
Step 3: calculate ΔGʅ
ΔGʅ = ΔHʅreaction – TΔSʅsystem
= –510 900 – 298 × (–212.4)
ΔGʅ = –447 604.8 J mol–1
= –448 kJ mol–1 (to 3 significant figures)
As the value of ΔGʅ is negative, the reaction is
spontaneous at 298 K.
d Step 1: convert the value of ΔHʅr to J mol–1
–641.3 × 1000 = –641 300 J mol–1
Step 2: calculate ΔSʅsystem
ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
= Sʅ[MgCl2(s)] – (Sʅ[Mg(s)] + Sʅ[Cl2(g)])
= 89.6 – (32.7 + 165.0)
ΔSʅsystem = –108.1 J K–1 mol–1
Step 3: calculate ΔGʅ
ΔGʅ = ΔHʅreaction – TΔSʅsystem
= –641 300 – 298 × (–108.1)
ΔGʅ = –609 086.2 J mol–1
= –609 kJ mol–1 (to 3 significant figures)
As the value of ΔGʅ is negative, the reaction is
spontaneous at 298 K.
e Step 1: convert the value of ΔHʅr to J mol–1
+81.3 × 1000 = +81 300 J mol–1
Step 2: calculate ΔSʅsystem
ΔSʅsystem = Sʅproducts – Sʅreactants
= Sʅ[Ag2O(s)] + Sʅ[CO2(g)] – Sʅ[Ag2CO3(g)])
= 121.3 + 213.6 – 167.4
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ΔSʅsystem = +167.5 J K–1 mol–1
Step 3: calculate ΔGʅ
ΔGʅ = ΔHʅreaction – TΔSʅsystem
= +81 300 – 298 × (+167.5)
ΔGʅ = 31 385.0 J mol–1
= +31.4 kJ mol–1 (to 3 significant figures)
As the value of ΔGʅ is positive, the reaction is
not spontaneous at 298 K.
ΔGʅreaction = 2 × ΔGʅf [H2O(l)] + ΔGʅf [O2(g)] 
 – 2 × ΔGʅf  [H2O2(l)]
= 2 × (–273.2) + 0 – 2 × (–120.4)
= –546.4 – (–240.8)
ΔGʅreaction = –305.6 kJ mol–1
The value of ΔGʅreaction is negative. So under
standard conditions, hydrogen peroxide
should spontaneously decompose to water
and oxygen.
b ΔGʅreaction = ΔGʅproducts – ΔGʅreactants
ΔGʅreaction = ΔGʅf  [N2O(g)] + 2 × ΔGʅf  [H2O(g)] 
–  ΔGʅf  [NH4NO3(s)]
= (+104.2) + 2 × (–228.6) – (–184.0)
ΔGʅreaction = –169.0 kJ mol–1
The value of ΔGʅreaction is negative. So under
standard conditions, ammonium nitrate will
spontaneously decompose to N2O(g) and
H2O(g).
c ΔGʅreaction = ΔGʅproducts – ΔGʅreactants
ΔGʅreaction = 2 × ΔGʅf  [MgO(s)] – {2 × ΔGʅf  [Mg(s)] 
+  ΔGʅf  [O2(g)]}
= 2 × (–569.4) – (0 + 0)
ΔGʅreaction = –1138.8 kJ mol–1
The value of ΔGʅreaction is negative. So under
standard conditions, magnesium will
spontaneously react with oxygen.
d ΔGʅreaction = ΔGʅproducts – ΔGʅreactants
= 3 × ΔGʅf [CO2(g)] + 4 × ΔGʅf  [H2O(l)] 
 – {ΔGʅf  [C3H8(g)] + 5 × ΔGʅf [O2(g)]}
= 3 × (–394.4) + 4 × (–273.2) – (–23.4) + 0
= (–2276.0) – (–23.4)
ΔGʅreaction = –2252.6 kJ mol–1
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The value of ΔGʅreaction is negative. So

under standard conditions, propane will
spontaneously combust.
e ΔGʅreaction = ΔGʅproducts – ΔGʅreactants
= 3 × ΔGʅf [MgO(s)] + 2 × ΔGʅf  [Fe(s)] 
 – {ΔGʅf  [Mg(s)] + ΔGʅf  [Fe2O3(s)]}
= 3 × (–569.4) + 0 – {0+(–742.2)
= (–1708.2) – (–742.2)
ΔGʅreaction = –966.0 kJ mol–1
The value of ΔGʅreaction is negative. So under
standard conditions, magnesium will
spontaneously react with iron(III) oxide.

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