Chemistry: A Molecular Approach (3rd Edition)

Published by Prentice Hall
ISBN 10: 0321809246
ISBN 13: 978-0-32180-924-7

Chapter 17 - Sections 17.1-17.9 - Exercises - Review Questions - Page 852: 8

Answer

The number of possible states increases.

Work Step by Step

Entropy usually refers to the idea that eventually everything in the universe moves from order to disorder. Entropy is the measurement of the change from order to disorder (or the other way around). The more disorder, the higher the entropy will be. When a gas expands into a vacuum, then the volume increases, which will allow more disorder, because the number of possible states increases (such as where the particle is located). More disorder corresponds with higher entropy and thus the entropy will increase.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.