All the enthalpies of fusion are positive.a)trueb)falsec)can not be de...
Enthalpy of Fusion
The enthalpy of fusion is a thermodynamic property that represents the amount of energy required to change a substance from a solid to a liquid phase at a constant temperature and pressure. It is also known as the heat of fusion.
Significance of Enthalpy of Fusion
The enthalpy of fusion is an important property as it quantifies the energy required to overcome the intermolecular forces holding the solid together and convert it into a liquid. This energy is used to break the attractive forces between the molecules in the solid and allow them to move more freely in the liquid phase.
Positive Enthalpies of Fusion
The enthalpies of fusion are always positive. This means that energy is required to break the intermolecular forces and convert the solid into a liquid. The positive sign indicates that the process is endothermic, meaning it absorbs heat from the surroundings.
Explanation
The positive sign of the enthalpy of fusion can be understood by considering the nature of the intermolecular forces in the solid state. In a solid, the molecules are closely packed and held together by strong intermolecular forces such as hydrogen bonding, dipole-dipole interactions, or London dispersion forces.
To convert the solid into a liquid, these intermolecular forces must be overcome. This requires the input of energy, which is reflected in the positive value of the enthalpy of fusion. The energy is used to break the attractive forces and allow the molecules to move more freely in the liquid phase.
Additionally, the positive sign of the enthalpy of fusion is consistent with the general trend of enthalpy changes. In most processes, including phase changes, energy is required to break existing bonds or forces and form new ones. This energy input is reflected in the positive sign of the enthalpy change.
Therefore, it can be concluded that all enthalpies of fusion are positive, indicating that energy is required for the solid to liquid phase transition. The correct answer is option 'A' - true.
All the enthalpies of fusion are positive.a)trueb)falsec)can not be de...
Enthalpy of fusion
The enthalpy of fusion, also known as the heat of fusion, is the amount of heat energy required to change a substance from a solid to a liquid state at its melting point. It is a thermodynamic property that is specific to each substance and is typically measured in joules per gram (J/g).
Positive enthalpies of fusion
The enthalpy of fusion is positive for all substances. This means that it requires an input of heat energy to break the intermolecular forces holding the solid together and convert it into a liquid. The positive sign indicates that the process is endothermic, meaning it absorbs heat from its surroundings.
Explanation
When a solid substance is heated, its temperature gradually increases until it reaches its melting point. At this point, the substance starts to change from a solid to a liquid, but its temperature remains constant until the entire solid has melted. This constant temperature is known as the melting point plateau.
During the melting process, the heat energy being supplied is used to overcome the attractive forces between the particles in the solid. These forces, such as ionic bonds, metallic bonds, or intermolecular forces, hold the particles together and give the solid its rigid structure.
To break these forces and convert the solid into a liquid, energy must be supplied. This energy is absorbed as heat, causing the temperature of the substance to remain constant during the melting process. The amount of heat energy required to completely melt a given amount of substance is the enthalpy of fusion.
Since energy is being absorbed from the surroundings, the enthalpy of fusion is positive. The positive sign indicates that the process is endothermic, meaning it requires an input of heat energy. The magnitude of the enthalpy of fusion depends on the strength of the intermolecular forces in the substance. Substances with stronger intermolecular forces generally have higher enthalpies of fusion.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all enthalpies of fusion are positive because the process of melting a solid requires an input of heat energy. The positive sign indicates that the process is endothermic and that energy is being absorbed from the surroundings.