Which factor allows polymerization, a process with negative entropy change ((Delta S < 0)), to be thermodynamically spontaneous?

💡 Explanation:

The criterion for a spontaneous process is a negative change in Gibbs free energy ((Delta G < 0)), according to the equation (Delta G = Delta H - TDelta S). Polymerization is the linking of small monomers into a large polymer chain, which decreases the total number of free molecules, resulting in a negative entropy change ((Delta S < 0)). For the reaction to still be spontaneous ((Delta G < 0)), the enthalpy change ((Delta H)) must be highly negative (exothermic) to overcome the positive term of (-TDelta S), especially at lower temperatures where the spontaneity is often observed.