The Entropy Change of the Surroundings

The total entropy change ΔS_total is the sum of the entropy changes of the system and of the surroundings. When an exothermic change takes place heat energy is transferred to the surroundings causing an increase in disorder to the surroundings. At higher temperatures, the molecules have a greater range of energies so they are more random and more disordered.Since ΔS^θ_surroundings = -ΔH / T (T is in kelvin) for all exothermic reactions ΔS^θ_surroundings is positive and for all endothermic reactions ΔS^θ_surroundings is negative.If the surroundings are hot, the entropy increase is small because the molecules are already in chaotic motion and already have a high entropy.