Water is placed in a freezer and as it comes into thermal equilibrium it freezes

Question

Water is placed in a freezer and as it comes into thermal equilibrium it freezes. Which one of the following statements is true concerning this process?

(a) The water gains entropy in accord with the second law of thermodynamics.
(b) The water loses entropy so the process violates the second law of thermodynamics.
(c) The water gains entropy, but the air outside the freezer loses entropy in accord with the second law of thermodynamics.
(d) Both the water and the air outside the refrigerator lose entropy, but the universe gains entropy in accord with the second law of thermodynamics.
(e) The water loses entropy, but the air outside the refrigerator gains entropy in accord with the second law of thermodynamics.

Explanation / Answer

Change in entropy ds=dq/T

Water loses heat energy, so it loses entropy . But according to second law of thermodynamics, entropy of the universe may increase or constant.

So, the air outside the refrigerator must gain the entropy to obey second law.

Hence option e is correct.

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