Question

For a spontaneous process, the correct statement is:

• A. Entropy of the system always increases
• B. Freeenergy ofthesystemalwaysincreases
• C. Total entropy change is always negative
• D. Total entropy change is always positive

Answer 1

The correct option is D Total entropy change is always positive

The spontaneity of the process appears to be associated with a highly ordered system going to a less-ordered, uniform state. the $\Delta S$ of the surroundings increases enough because of the exothermicity of the reaction that it overcompensates for the negative $\Delta S$ of the system, and since the overall $\Delta S=\Delta S_{surrounding}-\Delta S_{system}$ the overall change in entropy is still positive.