Question

Even though the process is endothermic, snow can sublime. Which tendency in nature accounts for this phase change?
(1) a tendency toward greater entropy(2) a tendency toward greater energy(3) a tendency toward less entropy(4) a tendency toward less energy

Answer 1

Even though the process is endothermic, snow can sublime. The tendency in nature that accounts for this phase change is that there is a tendency toward greater entropy. The answer is number 1. The rest of the choices do not answer the question above.

Answer 2

Answer: The correct answer is Option 1.

Explanation:

It is given that the process is endothermic which means that $\Delta H=+ve$

The snow is subliming which means that it is changing its state from solid state to gaseous state directly and for this phase change to take place, $\Delta G$ must be negative.

As, for sublimation process, $\Delta S$ is always increasing and for spontaneous reaction, temperature must also be high.

$\Delta G=\Delta H-T\Delta S$

$-ve=+ve-T(+ve)$

At higher temperature, $\Delta G$ will always be negative and it will be spontaneous reaction and phase change will occur.

Hence, the correct answer is Option 1.