What does spontaneous mean in chemistry?
spontaneous changes in chemical properties occur when there is an increase in the free energy of the system. Free energy is a measure of the amount of energy available to do work. The more available energy, the higher the temperature required to make a reaction spontaneous. Since the chemical bonds of a system are responsible for holding the chemical together, the greater the bond strength, the lower the free energy of a system. For example, adding heat energy to a solid allows it to break apart into its component parts
What does spontaneous mean in physics?
spontaneous refers to the process that occurs when a particle or system goes from one state to another without any outside help. It is a measure of the tendency of a system to move to a more stable state. Consider a ball placed on a hill. If the ball is pushed down, it rolls back up to the top of the hill. This is an example of spontaneous motion. Spontaneous processes occur at the micro level in atoms.
What does spontaneous mean in biological chemistry?
A spontaneous reaction is one that happens without being initiated by an outside agent. This definition is commonly used in biochemistry, but it can also be applied to physical and chemical processes. Spontaneous reactions are very important in chemical and biological processes, and the outcome of spontaneous reactions is usually more favorable than the outcome of catalyzed reactions.
What does spontaneous combustion mean?
Spontaneous combustion is a process where a chemical reaction occurs without the need for heat or a catalyst. This reaction usually takes place in a closed container. Spontaneous combustion is fairly rare. Most often, it happens when a pile of paper products (such as paper towels, cardboard, rubber, etc.) or other flammable materials builds up in an unventilated room. Anything that can burn may start a fire if it is not isolated properly.
What does spontaneous mean in science?
Spontaneous is a word used to describe chemical reactions that occur without the need of external energy. In a way, this implies that the chemical reaction is not forced to occur either. It can be spontaneous even if the products or byproducts of the reaction are harmful to life.