---
title: "A student investigates the thermodynamic properties of water in different phases at \\(298\\text{ K}\\) and \\(1\\text{ atm}\\).  Which of the following correctly ranks \\(1\\text{ mol}\\) samples of \\(\\text{H}_2\\text{O}(g)\\), \\(\\text{H}_2\\text{O}(l)\\), and \\(\\text{H}_2\\text{O}(s)\\) from greatest to least standard molar entropy, \\(S^\\circ\\), and provides the correct justification?"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119920/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T08:18:08+00:00"
---

# A student investigates the thermodynamic properties of water in different phases at \(298\text{ K}\) and \(1\text{ atm}\).

Which of the following correctly ranks \(1\text{ mol}\) samples of \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(g)\), \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(l)\), and \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(s)\) from greatest to least standard molar entropy, \(S^\circ\), and provides the correct justification?

A student investigates the thermodynamic properties of water in different phases at \(298\text{ K}\) and \(1\text{ atm}\).

Which of the following correctly ranks \(1\text{ mol}\) samples of \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(g)\), \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(l)\), and \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(s)\) from greatest to least standard molar entropy, \(S^\circ\), and provides the correct justification?

- **A.** \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(s) > \text{H}_2\text{O}(l) > \text{H}_2\text{O}(g)\), because the rigid crystal structure of ice maximizes the organized distribution of matter.
- **B.** \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(s) > \text{H}_2\text{O}(l) > \text{H}_2\text{O}(g)\), because intermolecular hydrogen bonds are most extensive in the solid phase, maximizing the stored energy.
- **C.** \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(g) > \text{H}_2\text{O}(l) > \text{H}_2\text{O}(s)\), because gas molecules have the greatest freedom of motion and disperse over a much larger volume, corresponding to the greatest number of accessible microstates.
- **D.** \(\text{H}_2\text{O}(g) > \text{H}_2\text{O}(l) > \text{H}_2\text{O}(s)\), because gaseous water molecules have stronger intramolecular covalent bonds and higher individual molecular volumes than molecules in the condensed phases.

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/119920/*