The mixing of gases is generally accompanied by

Options

A. Decrease in entropy
B. Decrease in free energy
C. Change in heat content
D. Increase in free energy

Answer

To answer the question, "The mixing of gases is generally accompanied by," we can follow these steps:

### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Mixing of Gases
When gases mix, they form a gaseous mixture. This process is a common phenomenon in thermodynamics and is often spontaneous in nature.

**Hint:** Consider what spontaneous processes are and how they relate to energy changes.

### Step 2: Identify the Nature of the Process
The mixing of gases is a spontaneous process, which means it occurs naturally without the need for external energy. This is similar to other spontaneous processes like heat flow and the rolling of a ball.

**Hint:** Think about examples of spontaneous processes in everyday life.

### Step 3: Relate to Thermodynamic Principles
In thermodynamics, spontaneity is often determined by the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG). For a process to be spontaneous, ΔG must be less than 0 (negative). The relationship is given by the equation:
\[ \Delta G = \Delta H - T \Delta S \]
Where:
- ΔG = Change in Gibbs free energy
- ΔH = Change in enthalpy
- T = Temperature in Kelvin
- ΔS = Change in entropy

**Hint:** Recall the significance of ΔG being negative and how it relates to enthalpy and entropy.

### Step 4: Analyze the Entropy Change
When gases mix, the randomness or disorder of the system increases, which means that the change in entropy (ΔS) is positive. A positive ΔS contributes to making ΔG negative, thus favoring spontaneity.

**Hint:** Think about how mixing increases the number of possible arrangements of gas molecules.

### Step 5: Conclusion
Therefore, the mixing of gases is generally accompanied by an increase in entropy (ΔS > 0), which leads to a decrease in free energy (ΔG < 0), making the process spontaneous.

**Final Answer:** The mixing of gases is generally accompanied by an increase in entropy.