Spontaneous and Non –

Spontaneous Processes
 Lesson Objectives
For this week’s lesson, these are the following
competencies to be met:

-Predict the spontaneity of a process.

-Explain the Second Law of Thermodynamics and its
significance.
 Lesson Topics
For this week’s lesson, we will be discussing the
following:

-Spontaneous and Non-spontaneous Processes

-Dispersal of Matter and Energy
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

Processes have a natural tendency to occur form one

direction to another under a given set of conditions.
Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

In thermodynamics, a spontaneous process is

a process which occurs without input of matter or
electrical energy into the system.
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

A non-spontaneous process, on the other hand, will

not take place unless it is “driven” by the continual
input of energy from an external source.
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

A process that is spontaneous in one direction under a

particular set of conditions is non-spontaneous in the
reverse direction.
Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

A spontaneous change may be so rapid that it is

essentially instantaneous or so slow that it cannot
be observed over any practical period.
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

To illustrate this concept, consider the decay of

radioactive isotopes:

Technitium-99m
Uranium-238
Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

Radioactive decay is a spontaneous process in

which the nuclei of unstable isotopes emit
radiation as they are converted to more stable
nuclei.
Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes
C(s, diamond) C(s, graphite)
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

Graphite is the stable form of Carbon under ambient

atmospheric pressure, while a diamond is the stable
allotrope at very high pressures, such as those
present during its geologic formation.
 Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous
Processes

It is described that the conversion of diamond to

graphite at ambient pressure occurs spontaneously,
yet diamonds are observed to exist, and persist,
under these conditions.
 Dispersal of Matter and Energy

An isolated system consisting of two flasks

connected with a closed valve. Initially there is an
ideal gas on the left and a vacuum on the right.
 Dispersal of Matter and Energy

In an isolated system, no work has been done

because the pressure in a vacuum is zero.

W = −PΔV = 0 (P = 0 in a vacuum)
 Dispersal of Matter and Energy

Note as well that since the system is isolated, no heat

has been exchanged with the surroundings (q = 0).

ΔU = q + w = 0 + 0 = 0
 Dispersal of Matter and Energy

The spontaneity of this process is therefore not a

consequence of any change in energy that
accompanies the process.
Dispersal of Matter and Energy

qX < 0 and qY = −qX > 0

 Dispersal of Matter and Energy

“The greater, more uniform dispersal of

matter”
 Dispersal of Matter and Energy

This all relates to the Second Law of

Thermodynamics which is:

“It states that the condition of entropy of the

entire universe, as an isolated system, will always
increase over time.”
 Dispersal of Matter and Energy
Redistribution of Matter during a
Spontaneous Process:
 Dispersal of Matter and Energy

A. Sublimation process.

B. Condensation process.

C. Dilution process.
 Activity:
Direction:

In short bond paper, find a chemical reaction

or compound and illustrate the spontaneous
process and non-spontaneous process for that
substance. Explain why this occurs.
Thank You