Gibbs Free Energy and Spontaneity
Master Gibbs free energy, predict reaction spontaneity, and understand the relationship between ΔG, ΔH, ΔS, and temperature.
Gibbs Free Energy and Spontaneity
Gibbs Free Energy (G)
Free energy: Energy available to do work
Gibbs equation:
Units:
- ΔG: kJ/mol
- ΔH: kJ/mol
- T: K (always Kelvin!)
- ΔS: J/(mol·K) → convert to kJ/(mol·K)
Key conversion: 1 kJ = 1000 J
Spontaneity Criterion
ΔG predicts spontaneity:
| ΔG | Process | |----|---------| | ΔG < 0 | Spontaneous (favorable) | | ΔG = 0 | At equilibrium | | ΔG > 0 | Non-spontaneous (unfavorable) |
Important: Spontaneous ≠ fast
- Thermodynamics (ΔG) vs kinetics (rate)
- Diamonds → graphite: spontaneous but infinitely slow
Temperature Dependence
Four cases from ΔG = ΔH - TΔS:
Case 1: ΔH < 0, ΔS > 0
- ΔG < 0 at all temperatures
- Spontaneous always
- Example: Combustion reactions
Case 2: ΔH > 0, ΔS < 0
- ΔG > 0 at all temperatures
- Never spontaneous
- Example: Reverse of combustion
Case 3: ΔH < 0, ΔS < 0
- ΔG < 0 at low T
- ΔG > 0 at high T
- Spontaneous only when cold
Case 4: ΔH > 0, ΔS > 0
- ΔG > 0 at low T
- ΔG < 0 at high T
- Spontaneous only when hot
- Example: Melting, vaporization
Summary Table
| ΔH | ΔS | ΔG | Spontaneous? | |----|----|----|--------------| | - | + | Always - | Always | | + | - | Always + | Never | | - | - | - at low T, + at high T | Low T only | | + | + | + at low T, - at high T | High T only |
Calculating ΔG°_{rxn}
Method 1: From ΔH° and ΔS°
Watch units! Convert ΔS° from J/K to kJ/K
Method 2: From ΔG°_f values
Like ΔH°_f:
- Elements in standard state: ΔG°_f = 0
- Tabulated for compounds
Standard Free Energy of Formation
ΔG°_f: Free energy change to form 1 mole from elements (25°C, 1 atm)
Examples:
- H₂(g): ΔG°_f = 0
- H₂O(l): ΔG°_f = -237.1 kJ/mol
- CO₂(g): ΔG°_f = -394.4 kJ/mol
Temperature and Equilibrium
At equilibrium: ΔG = 0
This gives transition temperature:
- Below: one direction spontaneous
- Above: reverse direction spontaneous
- At T_eq: equilibrium (both directions equal)
Free Energy and Equilibrium Constant
Relationship:
Or:
Where:
- R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
- K = equilibrium constant
- Q = reaction quotient
Interpretation:
- ΔG° < 0: K > 1 (products favored)
- ΔG° = 0: K = 1 (equal amounts)
- ΔG° > 0: K < 1 (reactants favored)
Coupling Reactions
Non-spontaneous reaction can be driven by spontaneous one:
If ΔG₁ > 0 (unfavorable):
- Couple with reaction where ΔG₂ < 0
- If |ΔG₂| > ΔG₁, overall ΔG < 0
Example: ATP in biology
- ATP → ADP + Pi: ΔG° = -30.5 kJ/mol
- Drives many unfavorable biological reactions
📚 Practice Problems
1Problem 1easy
❓ Question:
For the reaction N₂(g) + 3H₂(g) → 2NH₃(g), ΔH° = -92.2 kJ and ΔS° = -198.7 J/K. (a) Calculate ΔG° at 25°C. (b) Is the reaction spontaneous? (c) At what temperature does ΔG = 0?
💡 Show Solution
Given:
- ΔH° = -92.2 kJ
- ΔS° = -198.7 J/K = -0.1987 kJ/K
- T = 25°C = 298 K
(a) Calculate ΔG° at 298 K
Use: ΔG° = ΔH° - TΔS°
Convert ΔS° to kJ/K: ΔS° = -198.7 J/K × (1 kJ/1000 J) = -0.1987 kJ/K
Calculate:
Answer (a): ΔG° = -33.0 kJ
(b) Is reaction spontaneous at 25°C?
ΔG° = -33.0 kJ < 0
Answer (b): Yes, spontaneous at 25°C (ΔG° < 0)
(c) Temperature where ΔG = 0
At equilibrium: ΔG = 0
Use consistent units (both kJ):
Convert to °C: 464 - 273 = 191°C
Answer (c): T = 464 K or 191°C
Interpretation:
Signs: ΔH° < 0 (exothermic), ΔS° < 0 (less disorder)
Temperature effect:
- Low T: ΔG < 0 (spontaneous) - ΔH term dominates
- High T: ΔG > 0 (non-spontaneous) - TΔS term dominates
- Below 464 K: spontaneous
- Above 464 K: non-spontaneous
This explains why Haber process runs at moderate temperature!
2Problem 2medium
❓ Question:
For a reaction at 298 K, ΔH° = -92.3 kJ and ΔS° = -198 J/K. (a) Calculate ΔG° and determine if the reaction is spontaneous. (b) At what temperature does the reaction become non-spontaneous?
💡 Show Solution
Solution:
(a) Calculate ΔG°: ΔG° = ΔH° - TΔS°
Convert ΔS° to kJ/K: -198 J/K = -0.198 kJ/K
ΔG° = -92.3 kJ - (298 K)(-0.198 kJ/K) ΔG° = -92.3 kJ + 59.0 kJ ΔG° = -33.3 kJ
Since ΔG° < 0, the reaction is spontaneous at 298 K.
(b) Temperature where reaction becomes non-spontaneous: At equilibrium: ΔG° = 0 0 = ΔH° - TΔS° T = ΔH° / ΔS°
T = -92.3 kJ / (-0.198 kJ/K) = 466 K (or 193°C)
Above 466 K, ΔG° > 0 (non-spontaneous) Below 466 K, ΔG° < 0 (spontaneous)
Note: This reaction has ΔH° < 0 and ΔS° < 0, so it's spontaneous at low temperatures but non-spontaneous at high temperatures.
3Problem 3medium
❓ Question:
Calculate ΔG°_{rxn} for: C₃H₈(g) + 5O₂(g) → 3CO₂(g) + 4H₂O(l) using ΔG°_f values (kJ/mol): C₃H₈(g) = -23.5, CO₂(g) = -394.4, H₂O(l) = -237.1, O₂(g) = 0
💡 Show Solution
Reaction: C₃H₈(g) + 5O₂(g) → 3CO₂(g) + 4H₂O(l)
ΔG°_f values (kJ/mol):
- C₃H₈(g): -23.5
- O₂(g): 0 (element)
- CO₂(g): -394.4
- H₂O(l): -237.1
Formula:
Products:
3 mol CO₂: 3(-394.4) = -1183.2 kJ 4 mol H₂O: 4(-237.1) = -948.4 kJ
Sum: -1183.2 + (-948.4) = -2131.6 kJ
Reactants:
1 mol C₃H₈: 1(-23.5) = -23.5 kJ 5 mol O₂: 5(0) = 0 kJ
Sum: -23.5 kJ
Calculate ΔG°_{rxn}:
Answer: ΔG°_{rxn} = -2108 kJ
Interpretation:
Highly negative ΔG°:
- Very spontaneous
- This is combustion of propane
- Large energy release
- Why propane is excellent fuel
Compare to other fuels:
- All combustions have large negative ΔG°
- Spontaneous and exothermic
- Release useful energy
4Problem 4hard
❓ Question:
Consider the relationship between ΔG° and K (equilibrium constant): ΔG° = -RT ln K. For a reaction at 25°C with K = 5.0 × 10⁴, (a) calculate ΔG°, and (b) explain what this tells you about the position of equilibrium.
💡 Show Solution
Solution:
Given: K = 5.0 × 10⁴, T = 25°C = 298 K, R = 8.314 J/(mol·K)
(a) Calculate ΔG°: ΔG° = -RT ln K ΔG° = -(8.314 J/(mol·K))(298 K) ln(5.0 × 10⁴) ΔG° = -(2477.6) ln(50,000) ΔG° = -(2477.6)(10.82) ΔG° = -26,800 J/mol = -26.8 kJ/mol
(b) Interpretation:
ΔG° < 0 and K >> 1 means:
- The reaction is product-favored (spontaneous in forward direction)
- At equilibrium, products predominate over reactants
- K = 50,000 means [products]/[reactants] ≈ 50,000
Relationship summary:
- K > 1 → ΔG° < 0 (product-favored)
- K = 1 → ΔG° = 0 (equal products and reactants)
- K < 1 → ΔG° > 0 (reactant-favored)
The large value of K (5.0 × 10⁴) indicates the reaction goes nearly to completion under standard conditions.
5Problem 5hard
❓ Question:
For the vaporization of water at 100°C: H₂O(l) → H₂O(g), ΔH°{vap} = 40.7 kJ/mol. (a) Calculate ΔS°{vap}. (b) Calculate ΔG° at 90°C, 100°C, and 110°C. (c) Explain results.
💡 Show Solution
Given:
- Process: H₂O(l) → H₂O(g)
- ΔH°_{vap} = 40.7 kJ/mol
- Normal boiling point: 100°C = 373 K
(a) Calculate ΔS°_{vap}
At boiling point: ΔG = 0 (equilibrium)
At T = 373 K:
Answer (a): ΔS°_{vap} = 109 J/(mol·K)
(b) Calculate ΔG° at different temperatures
Use: ΔG° = ΔH° - TΔS°
- ΔH° = 40.7 kJ/mol
- ΔS° = 0.109 kJ/(mol·K)
At 90°C (363 K):
At 100°C (373 K):
At 110°C (383 K):
Answer (b):
- 90°C: ΔG° = +1.1 kJ/mol
- 100°C: ΔG° = 0 kJ/mol
- 110°C: ΔG° = -1.0 kJ/mol
(c) Explain results
At 90°C (below boiling point):
- ΔG° = +1.1 kJ (positive)
- Non-spontaneous
- Liquid is stable phase
- Water won't boil at 1 atm
At 100°C (boiling point):
- ΔG° = 0
- Equilibrium
- Liquid ⇌ gas
- Both phases coexist at 1 atm
- Normal boiling point!
At 110°C (above boiling point):
- ΔG° = -1.0 kJ (negative)
- Spontaneous
- Gas is stable phase
- Water vaporizes spontaneously
- Can't maintain liquid at 1 atm
General principle:
Phase transitions:
- ΔH > 0, ΔS > 0 (liquid → gas)
- Low T: ΔG > 0 (liquid favored)
- T = T_{boiling}: ΔG = 0 (equilibrium)
- High T: ΔG < 0 (gas favored)
Boiling point is where ΔG = 0 for vaporization at 1 atm
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