Below are energy level diagrams for two different atoms. Based on the diagrams, which atom has the larger standard molar entropy at T = 298 K?
A) Atom 1 has the larger standard molar entropy because the energy of its ground state is larger than the energy of the ground state of atom 2.
B) Atom 2 has the larger standard molar entropy because the energy of its ground state is smaller than the energy of the ground state of atom 1.
C) Atom 1 has the larger standard molar entropy because it has fewer energy levels at lower energy values than atom 2.
D) Atom 2 has the larger standard molar entropy because it has more energy levels at lower energy values than atom 1.
E) Both atoms have the same value of the standard molar entropy at T = 298 K.

Question

Below are energy level diagrams for two different atoms.  Based on the diagrams, which atom has the larger standard molar entropy at T = 298 K?
A) Atom 1 has the larger standard molar entropy because the energy of its ground state is larger than the energy of the ground state of atom 2. 
B) Atom 2 has the larger standard molar entropy because the energy of its ground state is smaller than the energy of the ground state of atom 1. 
C) Atom 1 has the larger standard molar entropy because it has fewer energy levels at lower energy values than atom 2. 
D) Atom 2 has the larger standard molar entropy because it has more energy levels at lower energy values than atom 1. 
E) Both atoms have the same value of the standard molar entropy at T = 298 K.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Standard molar entropy is related to the number of microstates that a system can adopt. The more energy levels and microstates at lower energy values, the larger the standard molar entropy. Since atom 2 has more energy levels at lower energy values compared to atom 1, it has a larger standard molar entropy at T = 298 K.

Below Are Energy Level Diagrams for Two Different Atoms