Overall

Entropy (S) is related to probability and is higher for substances that have a larger number of arrangements available to them.
Thus for the same substance
S°(gas) > S°(liquid) > S°(solid).


Thus the sign of the entropy change for a process depends on the physical states of the reactants and products.
  • If more gases are formed as products, ΔS is positive.
  • If gases or liquids are converted to solids, ΔS is negative.

The magnitude of ΔS for a process can be calculated using one of the relationships below. Entropies are usually reported in J K–1 mol–1.
 
  • For any reaction:
    ΔS° = ΣΔS°(products) - ΣΔS°(reactants)
     
  • For liquid to gas phase change with no change in temperature
    ΔS =
    ΔvapH
    T
  • For solid to liquid phase change with no change in temperature
    ΔS =
    ΔfusH
    T
  • For temperature change with no phase change where n is the amount in moles and Cp is the heat capacity
    ΔS =nCp × ln
    T2
    T1

The absolute entropy (S°) of a substance at temperature T is the sum of the entropy changes occurring on warming the substance from absolute zero to temperature T.