Question

Question: A quantity of ice is mixed with a quantity of hot water in a sealed, rigid, insulated container. The insulation prevents heat exchange between the ice-water mixture and the surroundings. The contents of the container soon reach equilibrium. State whether the total internal energy of the contents decreases, remains the same, or increases in this process. Make a similar statement about the total entropy of the contents. Explain your answers.

Short answer

The internal energy will remain the same in the contents.

The entropy will increase in the contents.

Step-by-step solution

Given data

Ice is mixed with hot water in a sealed, rigid, insulated container. The container is isolated. The contents of the container soon reach equilibrium.

Concept used

Internal energy:

Internal energy is the total amount of kinetic and potential energy in a system. In other words, it represents all of the energy of the system. It cannot be measured; it can only measure the change that happens when energy is exchanged between the system and the surroundings.

Entropy:

Entropy is the level of disorder or randomness in a system.

It is the lowest in a solid state, because of the strict structure which doesn't allow much movement.

It is the highest in a gaseous state where the particles are loosely tied together, allowing much more disorder.

Statement of internal energy of the contents

Based on the given concept, when the energy is transferred from the surroundings to the system, the internal energy increases, and vice versa.

Since our system is isolated, there is no exchange between the surroundings and the system.

This means that the internal energy will remain the same.

Statement of entropy of the contents

Based on the given concept, the process of melting the ice is a process of going from the solid to the liquid state, so it can be concluded that the entropy will increase.