Identify the correct statement regarding a spontaneous process:
- AFor a spontaneous process in an isolated system, the change in entropy is positive
- BEndothermic processes are never spontaneous
- CExothermic processes are always spontaneous
- DLowering of energy in the reaction process is the only criterion for spontaneity
Solution & Step-by-step Explanation
For a process to be spontaneous:In general, .For an isolated system, there is no exchange of heat or matter with surroundings. According to the Second Law of Thermodynamics, for any spontaneous process in an isolated system, the entropy of the system must increase ().Other points: Exothermic () and increasing entropy () both favor spontaneity, but neither is the sole criterion.