Question
Is ∆H the only criterion for the feasibility of a process ? Comment.
Solution
No, it is a common observation that all systems tend to acquire a state of greater stability
through the decrease of energy, for example,
(i) Flow of water down a hill
(ii) Chemical reactions such as

In all these cases, the system tends to change from higher energy state to lower energy state. Now a process in which energy of the system decreases has a negative value of ∆H (Exothermic reaction). Thus, a tendency to acquire minimum energy (–∆H) may be taken as the cause of spontaneity.
Although for most of the spontaneous processes, ∆H is negative, yet it cannot be taken as the only criterion of spontaneity. There are many endothermic reactions (∆H is +ve) which occur spontaneously. For example,
(i) Ammonium chloride dissolves in water with the absorption of heat i.e. ∆H is +ve.
(ii) Water evaporates with the absorption of heat.

Again there are spontaneous reactions which do not go to completion even though ∆H throughout remains negative.
There are reactions where ∆H = 0 but still they are spontaneous. For example.

Thus, we may conclude that negative value of ∆H is not the sole criterion for determining the spontaneity of the reaction.
through the decrease of energy, for example,
(i) Flow of water down a hill
(ii) Chemical reactions such as

In all these cases, the system tends to change from higher energy state to lower energy state. Now a process in which energy of the system decreases has a negative value of ∆H (Exothermic reaction). Thus, a tendency to acquire minimum energy (–∆H) may be taken as the cause of spontaneity.
Although for most of the spontaneous processes, ∆H is negative, yet it cannot be taken as the only criterion of spontaneity. There are many endothermic reactions (∆H is +ve) which occur spontaneously. For example,
(i) Ammonium chloride dissolves in water with the absorption of heat i.e. ∆H is +ve.
(ii) Water evaporates with the absorption of heat.

Again there are spontaneous reactions which do not go to completion even though ∆H throughout remains negative.
There are reactions where ∆H = 0 but still they are spontaneous. For example.

Thus, we may conclude that negative value of ∆H is not the sole criterion for determining the spontaneity of the reaction.