GRE Subject Test: Chemistry : Classifying Reactions

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for GRE Subject Test: Chemistry

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Endothermic And Exothermic Reactions

When the enthalpy of a reaction has a value of , which word is used to describe the reaction? 

Possible Answers:

Exothermic

Endergonic

Exergonic

Endothermic

Correct answer:

Exothermic

Explanation:

When the enthalpy of a reaction is negative, it means that heat has been released from the system to the surroundings. This release of energy is referred to as an exothermic reaction.

Endothermic reactions have a net heat flow into the system. Exergonic and endergonic are terms used to describe the change in free energy for a given system.

Example Question #11 : Thermodynamics And Phases

The equation for the change in Gibbs free energy is given below.

ΔH = change in enthalpy

ΔS = change in entropy

Which of the following scenarios guarantees a nonspontaneous reaction?

Possible Answers:

When ΔH is positive and ΔS is negative

When ΔH is negative and ΔS is negative

When ΔH is positive and ΔS is positive

When ΔH is negative and ΔS is positive

Correct answer:

When ΔH is positive and ΔS is negative

Explanation:

A positive value for ΔG (Gibbs free energy) will guarantee a nonspontaneous reaction. When ΔH (enthalpy) is postive and ΔS (entropy) is negative, the change in Gibbs free energy must be positive and, therefore, nonspontaneous.

Because T (temperature) will always have a positive value, a negative entropy and positive enthalpy will always result in a positive Gibbs free energy.

Example Question #2 : Endergonic And Exergonic Reactions

The equation for the change in Gibbs free energy is given below.

ΔH = change in enthalpy

ΔS = change in entropy

In which of the scenarios will the reaction be spontaneous?

Possible Answers:

When both ΔH and ΔS are postive and T is high

When ΔH is negative and ΔS is postive

When both ΔH and ΔS are negative and T is low

All of these scenarios would result in spontaneous reactions

Correct answer:

All of these scenarios would result in spontaneous reactions

Explanation:

All of the following scenarios would lead to spontaneous reaction, since each scenario would result in a negative Gibbs free energy (-ΔG).

Negative enthalpy, positive entropy:

Positive enthalpy and entropy with high temperature:

Negative enthalpy and entropy with low temperature:

Example Question #1 : Endergonic And Exergonic Reactions

Which of the following scenarios describes a reaction in equilibrium?

Possible Answers:

When the forward rate is 0M/s

When  is equal to 

When Gibbs free energy is negative

When the enthalpy is equal to the entropy

Correct answer:

When  is equal to 

Explanation:

According to the Gibbs free energy equation, a system is at equilibrium when  is equal to 0.

Since , a system is in equilibrium when               . A negative Gibbs free energy means that the reaction will be spontaneous. At equilibrium, the forward reaction rate equals the reverse reaction rate, though the net rate is zero.

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