Consider the following statements:On heating an elastomer under tensi...
In heating an elastomer under tensile load, entropy gets decreased because of only one possible microstate. But by shrinkage, entropy gets increased because of many possible microstates.
By Helmholtz free energy equation, free energy is given by:
A = U – TS, where U = internal energy, T = temperature, S = entropy
So, by increase in entropy, free energy gets reduced.
So, statements 2 and 3 are true.
Consider the following statements:On heating an elastomer under tensi...
Correct Answer: Option B (2 and 3)
Explanation:
Shrinkage and Enthalpy:
When an elastomer is heated under tensile load, it undergoes shrinkage. Shrinkage is the reduction in size or volume of the elastomer. Heating an elastomer under tensile load causes the polymer chains to relax and move closer together, leading to a decrease in the dimensions of the material. This shrinkage is a result of the release of stored elastic energy.
The enthalpy of a system refers to the total heat content of the system. When an elastomer shrinks upon heating, it releases heat energy, which contributes to an increase in enthalpy. Therefore, the statement that heating an elastomer under tensile load maximizes the enthalpy is correct.
Shrinkage and Entropy:
Entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness in a system. When an elastomer undergoes shrinkage upon heating, the polymer chains become more ordered and closer together, resulting in a decrease in entropy. The statement that heating an elastomer under tensile load maximizes the entropy is incorrect. It should be the opposite - heating an elastomer under tensile load minimizes the entropy.
Shrinkage and Free Energy:
Free energy is a measure of the energy available to do work. It consists of two components: enthalpy and entropy. The change in free energy (ΔG) of a system can be expressed as the sum of the change in enthalpy (ΔH) and the product of the temperature (T) and the change in entropy (ΔS). As discussed earlier, heating an elastomer under tensile load increases the enthalpy but decreases the entropy. Therefore, the statement that heating an elastomer under tensile load minimizes the free energy is correct.
Shrinkage and Avoiding Breaking:
Heating an elastomer under tensile load can help avoid breaking because it allows the material to undergo relaxation and relieve the stress caused by the applied load. When an elastomer is heated, the polymer chains become more flexible and can rearrange themselves, reducing the internal stresses within the material. This helps prevent the elastomer from reaching its breaking point. Therefore, the statement that heating an elastomer under tensile load avoids breaking is correct.
In conclusion, the correct statements are:
2. Heating an elastomer under tensile load maximizes the entropy.
3. Heating an elastomer under tensile load minimizes the free energy.