Why are there negative standard entropy values?
Hello. I've seen in tables that there are negative entropy values, such as for octane in the gas phase or many salts, even in solution. Why is that? Doesn't every entropy value have to be 0 at 0 Kelvin? Therefore, the entropy values would increase with decreasing temperature. But how and why? I don't understand. I thought there were only positive entropy values!!!
This is similar to the temperature scale with the entropy. You can select subsidized zero points.
The absolute temperature scale Kelvin begins at the absolute zero point. Absolute temperatures can never be negative. However, there is also the centigrade scale which has the same classification (1 °C = 1 K), but has a different zero. There can also be negative temperatures on the Celsius scale.
In the entropy, there is the absolute entropy, which is at 0°K per definition=0 and increases with increasing temperature. It can never be negative.
However, there is also the so-called standard entropy whose zero point is at the standard conditions, i.e. at 0° C. and 1 bar. It can then assume very negative values.
Because it is easier to work in chemistry with the standard conditions, i.e. Celsius scale and standard entropy, and because this is tradition and many table values refer to the standard conditions as zero.