Which of the following processes are spontaneous:
(a) the melting of ice cubes at \(-10^{\circ} \mathrm{C}\) and 1 atm pressure;
(b) separating a mixture of \(\mathrm{N}_{2} \text { and } \mathrm{O}_{2}\) into two separate samples, one that is pure \(\mathrm{N}_{2}\) and one that is pure \(\mathrm{O}_{2}\);
(c) alignment of iron filings in a magnetic field;
(d) the reaction of hydrogen gas with oxygen gas to form water vapor at room temperature;
(e) the dissolution of HCl(g) in water to form concentrated hydrochloric acid?
Text Transcription:
-10^{\circ} C
N2 and O2
{N}_{2}
Step 1 of 5) Nuclear reactions can release enormous amounts of energy—far more than the amounts involved in even the most energetic chemical reactions. Our chapter-opening photo shows the surface of the Sun. The tremendous energy that it releases is generated by nuclear reactions, principally by fusing hydrogen nuclei to form helium nuclei. Without nuclear reactions, there would be no sunlight and consequently no life on Earth.Nuclear Power: Fusion Learn that in nuclear fusion two light nuclei are fused together to form a more stable, heavier nucleus. Radiation in the Environment and Living Systems Discover that naturally occurring radioisotopes bathe our planet—and us—with low levels of radiation. The radiation emitted in nuclear reactions can damage living cells but also has diagnostic and therapeutic applications.In this chapter, we examine various common kinds of nuclear reactions and the factors that relate to the stability of the nucleus. We also consider how the rates of nuclear reactions are described and used, how radioactivity is detected, and how energy changes associated with nuclear reactions can be calculated. Finally, we discuss the effects of radiation on matter, especially living systems.
