Breaking up is Hard to do- it requires Energy

As I'm studying for MCAT, a random thought pops into my head and I thought I'd blog about it. Today's topic is Thermochemistry and while re-learning entropy and enthalpy (heat energy) I came to the conclusion that nature favors being single and free as opposed to being married (committed) and tied down.

A chemical reaction is favorable and spontaneous if the value of ∆G is negative from the equation ∆G= ∆H-T∆S, where ∆G stands for free energy, ∆H is enthalpy, T is temperature (K) and ∆S stands for entropy. One way to create a favorable reaction is to increase the enropy of the reaction (assuming all other variables remain constant).

In terms of entropy, which is the measure of randomness (disorder) of a system, the less bound a molecule is and therefore, the more freely it is to rotate about its bonds (has a greater degree of freedom), the greater the entropy- the more favorable the reaction. Cyclic compounds have less entropy than linear compounds because they are not as free to rotate around their bonds. Alkanes are more entropically favorable than alkenes for the same reason.

Although it requires energy to break a bond (breaking up is hard to do), the end product results in a more favorable and spontaneous reaction due to the increase in entropy. Bonds in a solid state (married bonds) are more organized and conformed but once broken (single life) gain more potenial to release that organizational energy in order for a molecule to experience...to journey. In going from a solid phase to a gas phase bonds are broken and entropy is increased, as favored by the universe. Relative entropy increases going from solid to liquid to gas phase.

Once again society has contradicted nature by brainwashing us to believe that being married is more favorable than being single and free! By the laws of thermodynamics- I beg to differ.

*NOTE: this post was only written to help the author, Jezelle, better understand thermochemistry and prodvide a logicaaly explanation for chosing to stay single in the face of suitors.