Rank each set of substances in order of increasing standard molar entropy (S°). Explain your reasoning. a. NH₃(g); Ne(g); SO₂(g); CH₃CH₂OH(g); He(g) c. CH₄(g); CF₄(g); CCl₄(g)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the phase of each substance. All substances are in the gaseous phase, so we will compare their molar entropies based on molecular complexity and atomic size.
2. Consider the atomic size and molecular complexity. Generally, larger atoms and more complex molecules have higher entropies.
3. Compare the noble gases first: He(g) and Ne(g). Helium, being smaller, will have a lower entropy than neon.
4. Compare the molecular gases: NH_3(g), SO_2(g), and CH_3CH_2OH(g). Consider the number of atoms and the complexity of the molecules. More atoms and more complex structures typically lead to higher entropy.
5. Rank the substances from lowest to highest entropy based on the analysis: He(g) < Ne(g) < NH_3(g) < SO_2(g) < CH_3CH_2OH(g).

Key Concepts

Standard Molar Entropy

Standard molar entropy (S°) is a measure of the amount of disorder or randomness in a system at standard conditions (1 bar, 25°C). It reflects the number of accessible microstates for a substance, with higher values indicating greater disorder. Entropy increases with molecular complexity, molecular weight, and the number of atoms in a molecule.

Phase of Matter

The phase of matter significantly influences entropy. Gases generally have higher entropies than liquids and solids due to their greater freedom of movement and higher number of microstates. Among gases, larger and more complex molecules tend to have higher entropies than smaller, simpler ones, as they can occupy more spatial configurations.

Molecular Structure and Complexity

The molecular structure and complexity of a substance affect its entropy. Larger molecules with more atoms and functional groups can vibrate and rotate in more ways, leading to higher entropy. For example, comparing NH3 and CH3CH2OH, the latter has a more complex structure and thus a higher standard molar entropy due to increased molecular interactions and configurations.