Phase Diagrams and Transitions

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AP Chemistry › Phase Diagrams and Transitions

Questions 1 - 10
1

During the process of freezing, what do you know about changes in the temperature and entropy of water?

The temperature remains constant and the entropy decreases

The temperature decreases and the entropy decreases

The temperature remains constant and the entropy increases

The temperature remains constant and the entropy remains constant

The temperature increases and the entropy decreases

Explanation

The temperature of a sample during the process of a phase change will remain constant. Even though heat may be added or removed during this process, it is utilized to directly impact the formation and breaking of intermolecular interactions within the sample. The result is a change in the internal properties of the sample (the phase), with no actual change in temperature.

When a substance freezes it transitions from a liquid to a solid. The result is a much more ordered structure, as opposed to the fluidity associated with the liquid phase. Increasing order corresponds to a decrease in entropy because entropy is a measure of disorder.

2

During the process of freezing, what do you know about changes in the temperature and entropy of water?

The temperature remains constant and the entropy decreases

The temperature decreases and the entropy decreases

The temperature remains constant and the entropy increases

The temperature remains constant and the entropy remains constant

The temperature increases and the entropy decreases

Explanation

The temperature of a sample during the process of a phase change will remain constant. Even though heat may be added or removed during this process, it is utilized to directly impact the formation and breaking of intermolecular interactions within the sample. The result is a change in the internal properties of the sample (the phase), with no actual change in temperature.

When a substance freezes it transitions from a liquid to a solid. The result is a much more ordered structure, as opposed to the fluidity associated with the liquid phase. Increasing order corresponds to a decrease in entropy because entropy is a measure of disorder.

3

Distillation requires which of the following?

Vaporization and condensation

Condensation only

Vaporization only

Neither vaporization nor condensation

Either vaporization or condensation

Explanation

Distillation is the process by which liquids are purified of impurities. Distillation first requires vaporization of liquids to become pure gases. The gases are then cooled and turned back into pure liquids via condensation into a separate container. A good distillation will remove all impurities from the liquid. This is why distilled water is used for chemical solutions; it does not contain ions or other impurities that could interfere with reaction.

4

Which of the following is associated with freezing, for most substances?

Particles move more slowly and are closer to each other

Particles move more quickly and are farther apart from each other

Particles move more slowly and are further apart from each other

Particles move more quickly and are closer together to each other

Explanation

When a substance freezes, the average kinetic energy of the particles decreases. This means that the particles will move more slowly. Most substances also contract when they cool to increase the organization of the molecules (crystallization). Thus, for most substances, particles will get closer together as they freeze. One notable exception is water, which expands as it freezes (the same mass of water that freezes into ice will float in liquid water due to an increase in volume).

5

Distillation requires which of the following?

Vaporization and condensation

Condensation only

Vaporization only

Neither vaporization nor condensation

Either vaporization or condensation

Explanation

Distillation is the process by which liquids are purified of impurities. Distillation first requires vaporization of liquids to become pure gases. The gases are then cooled and turned back into pure liquids via condensation into a separate container. A good distillation will remove all impurities from the liquid. This is why distilled water is used for chemical solutions; it does not contain ions or other impurities that could interfere with reaction.

6

Which of the following is associated with freezing, for most substances?

Particles move more slowly and are closer to each other

Particles move more quickly and are farther apart from each other

Particles move more slowly and are further apart from each other

Particles move more quickly and are closer together to each other

Explanation

When a substance freezes, the average kinetic energy of the particles decreases. This means that the particles will move more slowly. Most substances also contract when they cool to increase the organization of the molecules (crystallization). Thus, for most substances, particles will get closer together as they freeze. One notable exception is water, which expands as it freezes (the same mass of water that freezes into ice will float in liquid water due to an increase in volume).

7

Which of the following is not a phase transition?

Decomposition

Deposition

Sublimation

Fusion

Condensation

Explanation

There are six phase changes possible. Transition from solid to gas is sublimation, while transition from gas to solid is deposition. Transition from solid to liquid is melting, while transition from liquid to solid is fusion (freezing). Transition from gas to liquid is condensation, while transition from liquid to gas is vaporization (boiling). Each phase transition is considered a physical change, not a chemical change, because the identity of the compound remains unchanged.

Decomposition is a reaction type that involves a reactant being broken down into two or more products. This is a chemical change, since the identity of the reactant is changed.

8

Which of the following is not a phase transition?

Decomposition

Deposition

Sublimation

Fusion

Condensation

Explanation

There are six phase changes possible. Transition from solid to gas is sublimation, while transition from gas to solid is deposition. Transition from solid to liquid is melting, while transition from liquid to solid is fusion (freezing). Transition from gas to liquid is condensation, while transition from liquid to gas is vaporization (boiling). Each phase transition is considered a physical change, not a chemical change, because the identity of the compound remains unchanged.

Decomposition is a reaction type that involves a reactant being broken down into two or more products. This is a chemical change, since the identity of the reactant is changed.

9

Under which of the following conditions would ice be most likely to sublimate?

High temperature and low pressure

High temperature and high pressure

Low temperature and high pressure

Low temperature and low pressure

Explanation

Sublimation refers to the phase change whereby a substance goes directly from solid to gas. At high temperature and pressure water will be more likely to melt and than evaporate. At low temperature and low pressure, the water will likely stay solid. Likewise at low temperature and high pressure. At high temperature and low pressure, the ice will be most likely to sublimate. This is clear if one looks at the phase diagram for water. High pressure makes it energetically favorable for water to melt before evaporating. Keeping the pressure low, however, makes it more favorable to pass straight into the gaseous phase.

10

Under which of the following conditions would ice be most likely to sublimate?

High temperature and low pressure

High temperature and high pressure

Low temperature and high pressure

Low temperature and low pressure

Explanation

Sublimation refers to the phase change whereby a substance goes directly from solid to gas. At high temperature and pressure water will be more likely to melt and than evaporate. At low temperature and low pressure, the water will likely stay solid. Likewise at low temperature and high pressure. At high temperature and low pressure, the ice will be most likely to sublimate. This is clear if one looks at the phase diagram for water. High pressure makes it energetically favorable for water to melt before evaporating. Keeping the pressure low, however, makes it more favorable to pass straight into the gaseous phase.

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