16.4: Gibbs Energy

 Learning Objectives

• Define Gibbs free energy, and describe its relation to spontaneity
• Calculate the standard free energy change for a process using standard free energies of formation for its reactants and products
• Calculate standard free energy change for a process using senthalpies of formation and the entropies for its reactants and products
• Explain how temperature affects the spontaneity of some processes
• Relate standard free energy changes to equilibrium constants

One of the challenges of using the second law of thermodynamics to determine if a chemical reaction is spontaneous is that we must determine the entropy change for the system and the entropy change for the surroundings. A second challenge when working with a chemical reaction is that we need to take into account the mixing of the substances, an issue that does not occur when observing the phase change if a pure substance. An alternative approach involving a new thermodynamic property defined in terms of system properties only was introduced in the late nineteenth century by American mathematician Josiah Willard Gibbs. This new property is called the Gibbs free energy (\(G\)) (or simply the free energy), and it is defined in terms of a system’s enthalpy and entropy as the following:

\[G=H−TS \nonumber \]

Free energy is a state function, and at constant temperature and pressure, the standard free energy change (ΔG°) may be expressed as the following:

\[ΔG^º_\ce{sys}=ΔH^º_\ce{sys}−TΔS^º_\ce{sys} \nonumber \]

(For simplicity’s sake, the subscript “sys” will be omitted henceforth.) We can understand the relationship between this system property and the spontaneity of a process by recalling the previously derived second law expression:

\[ΔS_\ce{univ}=ΔS+\dfrac{q_\ce{surr}}{T} \nonumber \]

The first law requires that \(q_{surr} = −q_{sys}\), and at constant pressure \(q_{sys} = ΔH\), and so this expression may be rewritten as the following:

\[ΔS_\ce{univ}=ΔS−\dfrac{ΔH}{T} \nonumber \]

ΔH is the enthalpy change of the system. Multiplying both sides of this equation by −T, and rearranging yields the following:

\[−TΔS_\ce{univ}=ΔH−TΔS \nonumber \]

Comparing this equation to the previous one for free energy change shows the following relation:

\[ΔG=−TΔS_\ce{univ} \label{6} \]

The free energy change is therefore a reliable indicator of the spontaneity of a process, being directly related to the previously identified spontaneity indicator, \(ΔS_{univ}\). Table \(\PageIndex{1}\) summarizes the relation between the spontaneity of a process and the arithmetic signs of these indicators.

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Relation between Process Spontaneity and Signs of Thermodynamic Properties

\(ΔS_{univ} > 0\)	ΔG < 0	moves spontaneously in the forward direction, as written, to reach equilibrium
\(ΔS_{univ} < 0\)	ΔG > 0	nonspontaneous in the forward direction, as written, but moves spontaneously in the reverse direction, as written, to reach equilibrium
\(ΔS_{univ} = 0\)	ΔG = 0	reversible (at equilibrium)

Calculating Free Energy Change

Free energy is a state function, so its value depends only on the conditions of the initial and final states of the system that have undergone some change. A convenient and common approach to the calculation of free energy changes for physical changes and chemical reactions is by use of widely available compilations of standard state thermodynamic data. One method involves the use of standard enthalpies and entropies to compute standard free energy changes according to the following relation as demonstrated in Example \(\PageIndex{1}\).

\[ ΔG°=ΔH°−TΔS° \label{7} \]

It is important to understand that for phase changes, \(\Delta G^º\) tells you if the phase change is spontaneous or not; will it happen, or not happen. For chemical reactions, \(\Delta G^º\) tells you the extent of a reaction. In other words, \(\Delta G^º\) for a reaction tells you how much product will be present at equilibrium. A reaction with \(\Delta G^º\) < 0 is considered product-favored at equilibrium; there will be more products than reactants when the reaction reaches equilibrium. A reaction with \(\Delta G^º\) > 0 is considered reactant-favored at equilibrium; there will be more reactants than products when the reaction reaches equilibrium.

Example \(\PageIndex{1}\): Evaluation of ΔG° for a Phase Change of a Pure Substance

Use standard enthalpy and entropy data from Tables T1 or T2 to calculate the standard free energy change for the vaporization of water at room temperature (298 K). What does the computed value for ΔG° say about the spontaneity of this physical change for a pure substance?

Solution

The process of interest is the following:

\[\ce{H2O}(l)⟶\ce{H2O}(g) \label{\(\PageIndex{8}\)} \]

The standard change in free energy may be calculated using the following equation:

\[ΔG^\circ_{298}=ΔH°−TΔS° \label{\(\PageIndex{9}\)} \]

From Tables T1 or T2, here are the data:

Data from Tables T1 or T2

Substance	\(ΔH^\circ_\ce{f}\ce{(kJ/mol)}\)	\(S^\circ_{298}\textrm{(J/K⋅mol)}\)
H2O(l)	−286.83	70.0
H2O(g)	−241.82	188.8

Combining at 298 K:

\[\begin{align*} ΔH°&=ΔH^\circ_{298}=ΔH^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{H2O}(g))−ΔH^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{H2O}(l)) \\[4pt] &=[−241.82\: kJ−(−285.83)]\:kJ/mol \\[4pt] &=44.01\: kJ/mol \\[4pt] ΔS° &=ΔS^\circ_{298}=S^\circ_{298}(\ce{H2O}(g))−S^\circ_{298}(\ce{H2O}(l)) \\[4pt] &=188.8\:J/mol⋅K−70.0\:J/K \\[4pt] &=118.8\:J/mol⋅K \end{align*} \nonumber \]

then use Equation \ref{7}:

\[ΔG°=ΔH°−TΔS° \nonumber \]

Converting everything into kJ and combining at 298 K:

\[\begin{align*}ΔG^\circ_{298} &=ΔH°−TΔS° \\[4pt] &=44.01\: kJ/mol−(298\: K×118.8\:J/mol⋅K)×\dfrac{1\: kJ}{1000\: J} \end{align*} \nonumber \]

\[\mathrm{44.01\: kJ/mol−35.4\: kJ/mol=8.6\: kJ/mol} \nonumber \]

At 298 K (25 °C) \(ΔG^\circ_{298}>0\), and so boiling is nonspontaneous (not spontaneous) at 298 K.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{1}\): Evaluation of ΔG° for a Chemical Reaction

Use standard enthalpy and entropy data from Tables T1 or T2 to calculate the standard free energy change for the reaction shown here (298 K). What does the computed value for ΔG° say about the extent of this reaction at 298 K?

\[\ce{C2H6}(g)⟶\ce{H2}(g)+\ce{C2H4}(g) \nonumber \]

Answer

\(ΔG^\circ_{298}=\mathrm{102.0\: kJ/mol}\); the reaction is reactant-favored at equilibrium at 25 °C. There will be more \(\ce{C2H6}(g)\) than \(\ce{H2}(g)\) and \(\ce{C2H4}(g) \) at equilibrium

Free energy changes may also use the standard free energy of formation \( (ΔG^\circ_\ce{f})\), for each of the reactants and products involved in the reaction. The standard free energy of formation is the free energy change that accompanies the formation of one mole of a substance from its elements in their standard states. Similar to the standard enthalpies of formation, \( (ΔG^\circ_\ce{f})\) is by definition zero for elemental substances under standard state conditions. The approach to computing the free energy change for a reaction using this approach is the same as that demonstrated previously for enthalpy and entropy changes. For the reaction

\[m\ce{A}+n\ce{B}⟶x\ce{C}+y\ce{D}, \nonumber \]

the standard free energy change at room temperature may be calculated as

\[ \begin{align} ΔG^\circ_{298}&=ΔG° \\[4pt] &=∑νΔG^\circ_{298}(\ce{products})−∑νΔG^\circ_{298}(\ce{reactants})\\[4pt] &=[xΔG^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{C})+yΔG^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{D})]−[mΔG^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{A})+nΔG^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{B})]. \end{align} \nonumber \]

Example \(\PageIndex{2}\): Calculation of \(ΔG^\circ_{298}\)

Consider the decomposition of yellow mercury(II) oxide.

\[\ce{HgO}(s,\,\ce{yellow})⟶\ce{Hg}(l)+ \ce{ 1/2 O2(g)} \nonumber \]

Calculate the standard free energy change at room temperature, \(ΔG^\circ_{298}\), using:

1. standard free energies of formation and
2. standard enthalpies of formation and standard entropies.

Do the results indicate the reaction to be product-favored or reactant-favored at equilibrium?

Solution

The required data are available in Tables T1 or T2 and are shown here.

Required data for Tables T1 or T2

Compound	\(ΔG^\circ_\ce{f}\:\mathrm{(kJ/mol)}\)	\(ΔH^\circ_\ce{f}\:\mathrm{(kJ/mol)}\)	\(S^\circ_{298}\:\textrm{(J/K⋅mol)}\)
HgO (s, yellow)	−58.43	−90.46	71.13
Hg(l)	0	0	75.9
O2(g)	0	0	205.2

(a) Using free energies of formation:

\[ \begin{align*} ΔG^\circ_{298}&=∑νGS^\circ_{298}(\ce{products})−∑νΔG^\circ_{298}(\ce{reactants}) \\[4pt] &=\left[1ΔG^\circ_{298}\ce{Hg}(l)+\dfrac{1}{2}ΔG^\circ_{298}\ce{O2}(g)\right]−1ΔG^\circ_{298}\ce{HgO}(s,\,\ce{yellow}) \\[4pt] & \mathrm{=\left[1\:mol(0\: kJ/mol)+\dfrac{1}{2}mol(0\: kJ/mol)\right]−1\: mol(−58.43\: kJ/mol)=58.43\: kJ/mol} \end{align*} \nonumber \]

(b) Using enthalpies and entropies of formation:

\[\begin{align*}ΔH^\circ_{298}&=∑νΔH^\circ_{298}(\ce{products})−∑νΔH^\circ_{298}(\ce{reactants}) \\[4pt] &=\left[1ΔH^\circ_{298}\ce{Hg}(l)+\dfrac{1}{2}ΔH^\circ_{298}\ce{O2}(g)\right]−1ΔH^\circ_{298}\ce{HgO}(s,\,\ce{yellow}) \\[4pt] &\mathrm{=[1\: mol(0\: kJ/mol)+\dfrac{1}{2}mol(0\: kJ/mol)]−1\: mol(−90.46\: kJ/mol)=90.46\: kJ/mol} \\[4pt] ΔS^\circ_{298} &=∑νΔS^\circ_{298}(\ce{products})−∑νΔS^\circ_{298}(\ce{reactants}) \\[4pt] &=\left[1ΔS^\circ_{298}\ce{Hg}(l)+\dfrac{1}{2}ΔS^\circ_{298}\ce{O2}(g)\right]−1ΔS^\circ_{298}\ce{HgO}(s,\,\ce{yellow}) \\[4pt] & \mathrm{=\left[1\: mol(75.9\: J/mol\: K)+\dfrac{1}{2}mol(205.2\: J/mol\: K)\right]−1\: mol(71.13\: J/mol\: K)=107.4\: J/mol\: K} \end{align*} \nonumber \]

then we can use Equation \ref7} directly:

\[\begin{align*}ΔG°&=ΔH°−TΔS°\\[4pt] &=\mathrm{90.46\: kJ−298.15\: K×107.4\: J/K⋅mol×\dfrac{1\: kJ}{1000\: J}} \\[4pt] &=\mathrm{(90.46−32.01)\:kJ/mol=58.45\: kJ/mol} \end{align*} \nonumber \]

Both ways to calculate the standard free energy change at 25 °C give the same numerical value (to three significant figures), and both predict that the process is reactant-favored at equilibrium at room temperature.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{2}\)

Calculate ΔG° using (a) free energies of formation and (b) enthalpies of formation and entropies (Tables T1 or T2). Do the results indicate the reaction to be product-favored or reactant-favored at equilibrium at 25 °C?

\[\ce{C2H4}(g)⟶\ce{H2}(g)+\ce{C2H2}(g) \nonumber \]

Answer

141.5 kJ/mol, reactant-favored at equilibrium

Temperature Dependence of Spontaneity and Extent of Reaction

As was previously demonstrated in this chapter’s section on entropy, the spontaneity of a process may depend upon the temperature of the system. Phase transitions, for example, will proceed spontaneously in one direction or the other depending upon the temperature of the substance in question. In a similar, but not identical fashion, some chemical reactions can switch from being product-favored at equilibrium, to being reactant-favored at equilibrium, depending on the temperature.

Note

The numerical value of \(\Delta G^º\) is always dependent on the temperature. In this section we are determining whether or not the sign of \(\Delta G^º\) is dependent on the temperature.

To illustrate this concept, the equation relating free energy change to the enthalpy and entropy changes for the process is considered:

\[ ΔG^º=ΔH^º−TΔS^º \nonumber \]

The extent of a process, as reflected in the arithmetic sign of its standard free energy change, is then determined by the signs of the enthalpy and entropy changes and, in some cases, the absolute temperature. Since T is the absolute (Kelvin) temperature, it can only have positive values. Four possibilities therefore exist with regard to the signs of the enthalpy and entropy changes:

1. Both ΔHº and ΔSº are positive. This condition describes an endothermic process that involves an increase in system entropy. In this case, ΔGº will be negative if the magnitude of the TΔSº term is greater than ΔHº. If the TΔSº term is less than ΔHº, the free energy change will be positive. Such a process is product-favored at equilibrium at high temperatures and reactant-favored at equilibrium at low temperatures.
2. Both ΔHº and ΔSº are negative. This condition describes an exothermic process that involves a decrease in system entropy. In this case, ΔGº will be negative if the magnitude of the TΔSº term is less than ΔHº. If the TΔSº term’s magnitude is greater than ΔHº, the free energy change will be positive. Such a process is product-favored at equilibrium at low temperatures and reactant-favored at equilibrium at high temperatures.
3. ΔHº is positive and ΔSº is negative. This condition describes an endothermic process that involves a decrease in system entropy. In this case, ΔGº will be positive regardless of the temperature. Such a process is reactant-favored at equilibrium at all temperatures.
4. ΔHº is negative and ΔSº is positive. This condition describes an exothermic process that involves an increase in system entropy. In this case, ΔGº will be negative regardless of the temperature. Such a process is product-favored at equilibrium at all temperatures.

These four scenarios are summarized in Table \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\)

Sign of \(\Delta H^o\)	Sign of \(\Delta S^o\)	Sign of \(\Delta G^o\)	Temperature Dependence of \(\Delta G^o\)
-	+	-	The sign of \(\Delta G^o\) does not depend on the temperature.The reaction is product-favored at equilibrium at all temperatures.
+	-	+	The sign of \(\Delta G^o\) does not depend on the temperature.The reaction is reactant-favored at equilibrium at all temperatures.
-	-	- or +	The sign of \(\Delta G^o\) does  depend on the temperature. The reaction will be product-favored at equilibrium at lower temperatures.
+	+	- or +	The sign of \(\Delta G^o\) does  depend on the temperature. The reaction will be product-favored at equilibrium at lower temperatures.

 

Example \(\PageIndex{3}\): Predicting the Temperature Dependence of Spontaneity

The incomplete combustion of carbon is described by the following equation:

\[\ce{2C}(s)+\ce{O2}(g)⟶\ce{2CO}(g) \nonumber \]

Does the sign of \(\Delta G^º\) of this process depend upon temperature?

Solution

Combustion processes are exothermic (\(ΔH^º < 0\)). This particular reaction involves an increase in entropy due to the accompanying increase in the amount of gaseous species (net gain of one mole of gas, \(ΔS^º > 0\)). The reaction is therefore product-favored at equilibrium (\(ΔG^º < 0\)) at all temperatures.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{3}\)

Popular chemical hand warmers generate heat by the air-oxidation of iron:

\[\ce{4Fe}(s)+\ce{3O2}(g)⟶\ce{2Fe2O3}(s) \nonumber \]

Does the sign of \(\Delta G^o\) of this process depend upon temperature?

Answer

ΔHº and ΔSº are both negative; the reaction is product-favored at equilibrium at low temperatures.

When considering the conclusions drawn regarding the temperature dependence of the sign of ΔGº, it is important to keep in mind what the terms “high” and “low” mean. Since these terms are adjectives, the temperatures in question are deemed high or low relative to some reference temperature. A process that is reactant-favored at equilibrium at one temperature but product-favored at equilibrium at another temperature will necessarily undergo a change in “extent” (as reflected by its ΔGº) as temperature varies. This is clearly illustrated by a graphical presentation of the free energy change equation, in which ΔGº is plotted on the y axis versus T on the x axis:

\[ΔG^º=ΔH^º−TΔS^º \nonumber \]

\[y=b+mx \nonumber \]

Such a plot is shown in Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\). A process whose enthalpy and entropy changes are of the same arithmetic sign will exhibit a temperature-dependence for the sign of ΔGº as depicted by the two yellow lines in the plot. Each line crosses from one spontaneity domain (positive or negative ΔGº) to the other at a temperature that is characteristic of the process in question. This temperature is represented by the x-intercept of the line, that is, the value of T for which ΔGº is zero:

\[ΔG^º=0=ΔH^º−TΔS^º \nonumber \]

\[T=\dfrac{ΔH^º}{ΔS^º} \nonumber \]

Thus, saying a process is product-favored at equilibrium at “high” or “low” temperatures means the temperature is above or below, respectively, that temperature at which ΔGº for the process is zero. 

Note

In this discussion, we have used two different descriptions for the meaning of the sign of ΔGº. You should be aware of the meaning of each description. 

a) Extent of Reaction: This description is used to predict the ratio of the product and reactant concentrations at equilibrium. In this description, we use the thermodynamic term ΔGº to tell us the same information as the equilibrium constant, K. When ΔGº < 0, K > 1, and the reaction will be product-favored at equilibrium. When ΔGº > 0, K< 1, and the reaction is reactant-favored at equilibrium. When ΔGº = 0, K =1, and the reaction will have roughly equal amounts of products and reactants at equilibrium. In all cases, the reaction will form a mixture of products and reactants at equilibrium. We use the sign and magnitude of ΔGº to tell us how much product will be made if the reaction is allowed to reach equilibrium.

b) Spontaneity: This description is much more complicated because it involves two different interpretations of how a reaction at standard state occurs. One interpretation involves the hypothetical process in which the reaction proceeds from a starting point of pure reactants to a finishing point of pure products, with all substances isolated in their own containers under standard state conditions. In the second, more realistic interpretation, the reaction starts with all reactants and all products in their standard state in one container. We then allow this specific mixture to react an infinitesimally small amount so that we can obtain a rate of change in free energy with respect to the extent of reaction when all reactants and products are mixed and (essentially) in their standard states. Although each interpretation describes a different reaction scenario, the value of the difference in free energy and the value of the rate of change in free energy are the same number. If ΔGº < 0, we say that the reaction is spontaneous, meaning that the reaction would proceed in the forward direction, as written, to form pure products in their standard state. If ΔGº > 0, we say that the reaction is nonspontaneous, meaning that the reaction would proceed in the reverse direction, as written, to form pure reactants in their standard state. If ΔGº = 0, we say that the neither the reactants nor the products are favored to be formed.

A detailed treatment of the meaning of ΔGº can be found in the paper, "Free Energy versus Extent of Reaction" by Richard S. Treptow, Journal of Chemical Education, 1996, Volume 73 (1), 51-54.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): These plots show the variation in ΔGº with temperature for the four possible combinations of arithmetic sign for ΔHº and ΔSº. Note that in this graph of ΔGº, "spontaneous" is synonymous with "product-favored at equilibrium", and "nonspontaneous" is synonymous with "reactant-favored at equilibrium".

Example \(\PageIndex{4}\): Equilibrium Temperature for a Phase Transition

As defined in the chapter on liquids and solids, the boiling point of a liquid is the temperature at which its solid and liquid phases are in equilibrium (that is, when vaporization and condensation occur at equal rates). Use the information in Tables T1 or T2 to estimate the boiling point of water.

Solution

The process of interest is the following phase change:

\[\ce{H2O}(l)⟶\ce{H2O}(g) \nonumber \]

When this process is at equilibrium, ΔG = 0, so the following is true:

\[0=ΔH°−TΔS°\hspace{40px}\ce{or}\hspace{40px}T=\dfrac{ΔH°}{ΔS°} \nonumber \]

Using the standard thermodynamic data from Tables T1 or T2,

\[\begin{align*}
ΔH°&=ΔH^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{H2O}(g))−ΔH^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{H2O}(l)) \nonumber\\
&=\mathrm{−241.82\: kJ/mol−(−285.83\: kJ/mol)=44.01\: kJ/mol} \nonumber
\end{align*} \nonumber \]

\[\begin{align*}
ΔS°&=ΔS^\circ_{298}(\ce{H2O}(g))−ΔS^\circ_{298}(\ce{H2O}(l)) \nonumber\\
&=\mathrm{188.8\: J/K⋅mol−70.0\: J/K⋅mol=118.8\: J/K⋅mol} \nonumber
\end{align*} \nonumber \]

\[T=\dfrac{ΔH°}{ΔS°}=\mathrm{\dfrac{44.01×10^3\:J/mol}{118.8\:J/K⋅mol}=370.5\:K=97.3\:°C} \nonumber \]

The accepted value for water’s normal boiling point is 373.2 K (100.0 °C), and so this calculation is in reasonable agreement. Note that the values for enthalpy and entropy changes data used were derived from standard data at 298 K (Tables T1 or T2.). If desired, you could obtain more accurate results by using enthalpy and entropy changes determined at (or at least closer to) the actual boiling point.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{4}\)

Use the information in Tables T1 or T2 to estimate the boiling point of CS₂.

Answer

313 K (accepted value 319 K). 

Free Energy and Equilibrium

The free energy change for a process may be viewed as a measure of its driving force. A negative value for ΔG represents a finite driving force for the process in the forward direction, while a positive value represents a driving force for the process in the reverse direction. When ΔG is zero, the forward and reverse driving forces are equal, and so the process occurs in both directions at the same rate (the system is at equilibrium).

In the chapter on equilibrium the reaction quotient, Q, was introduced as a convenient measure of the status of an equilibrium system. Recall that Q is the numerical value of the mass action expression for the system, and that you may use its value to identify the direction in which a reaction will proceed in order to achieve equilibrium. When Q is lesser than the equilibrium constant, K, the reaction will proceed in the forward direction until equilibrium is reached and Q = K. Conversely, if Q > K, the process will proceed in the reverse direction until equilibrium is achieved.

The free energy change for a process taking place with reactants and products present under nonstandard conditions, ΔG, is related to the standard free energy change, ΔG°, according to this equation:

\[ΔG=ΔG°+RT\ln Q \label{eq10A} \]

R is the gas constant (8.314 J/K mol), T is the kelvin or absolute temperature, and Q is the reaction quotient. We may use this equation to predict the spontaneity for a process under any given set of conditions as illustrated in Example \(\PageIndex{1}\).

Example \(\PageIndex{5}\): Calculating ΔG under Nonstandard Conditions

What is the free energy change for the process shown here under the specified conditions?

T = 25 °C, \(P_{\ce{N2}}=\mathrm{0.870\: atm}\), \(P_{\ce{H2}}=\mathrm{0.250\: atm}\), and \(P_{\ce{NH3}}=\mathrm{12.9\: atm}\)

\[\ce{2NH3}(g)⟶\ce{3H2}(g)+\ce{N2}(g) \hspace{20px} ΔG°=\mathrm{33.0\: kJ/mol} \nonumber \]

Solution

Equation \ref{eq10A} relates free energy change to standard free energy change and reaction quotient and may be used directly:

\[\begin{align*} ΔG&=ΔG°+RT\ln Q \\[4pt] &=\mathrm{33.0\:\dfrac{kJ}{mol}+\left(8.314\:\dfrac{J}{mol\: K}×298\: K×\ln\dfrac{(0.250^3)×0.870}{12.9^2}\right)}\\[4pt] &=\mathrm{9680\:\dfrac{J}{mol}\:or\: 9.68\: kJ/mol} \end{align*} \nonumber \]

Since the computed value for ΔG is positive, the reaction is nonspontaneous under these conditions. The reaction will proceed in the reverse direction to reach equilibrium.

Exercise \(\PageIndex{5}\)

Calculate the free energy change for this same reaction at 875 °C in a 5.00 L mixture containing 0.100 mol of each gas. Is the reaction spontaneous under these conditions?

Answer

ΔG = −47 kJ; yes, the reaction proceeds in the forward direction, as written, to reach equilibrium.

For a system at equilibrium, Q = K and ΔG = 0, and the Equation \ref{eq10A} may be written as

\[ \underbrace{0=ΔG°+RT\ln K}_{\text{at equilibrium}} \nonumber \]

\[ΔG°=−RT\ln K \label{eq4A} \]

or alternatively

\[K=e^{−\frac{ΔG°}{RT}} \label{eq4B} \]

This form of the equation provides a useful link between these two essential thermodynamic properties, and it can be used to derive equilibrium constants from standard free energy changes and vice versa. The relations between standard free energy changes and equilibrium constants are summarized in Table \(\PageIndex{1}\).

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Relations between Standard Free Energy Changes and Equilibrium Constants

K	ΔG°	Comments
< 1	> 0	Reactants are more abundant at equilibrium.
= 1	= 0	Reactants and products are equally abundant at equilibrium.
> 1	< 0	Products are more abundant at equilibrium.

Example \(\PageIndex{6}\): Equilibrium Constant using Standard Free Energy Change

Given that the standard free energies of formation of Ag⁺(aq), Cl⁻(aq), and AgCl(s) are 77.1 kJ/mol, −131.2 kJ/mol, and −109.8 kJ/mol, respectively, calculate the solubility product, K_sp, for AgCl.

Solution

The reaction of interest is the following:

\[\ce{AgCl}(s)⇌\ce{Ag+}(aq)+\ce{Cl-}(aq) \hspace{20px} K_\ce{sp}=\ce{[Ag+][Cl- ]} \nonumber \]

The standard free energy change for this reaction is first computed using standard free energies of formation for its reactants and products:

\[ \begin{align*} ΔG° =ΔG^\circ_{298} &=[ΔG^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{Ag+}(aq))+ΔG^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{Cl-}(aq))]−[ΔG^\circ_\ce{f}(\ce{AgCl}(s))] \\[4pt] &=[77.1\: kJ/mol−131.2\: kJ/mol]−[−109.8\: kJ/mol] \\[4pt] &=55.7\: kJ/mol \end{align*} \nonumber \]

The equilibrium constant for the reaction may then be derived from its standard free energy change via Equation \ref{eq4B}:

\[\begin{align*} K_\ce{sp}&=e^{−\dfrac{ΔG°}{RT}}=\exp\left(−\dfrac{ΔG°}{RT}\right) \\[4pt] &=\mathrm{\exp\left(−\dfrac{55.7×10^3\:J/mol}{8.314\:J/mol⋅K×298.15\:K}\right)}\\&=\mathrm{\exp(−22.470)=e^{−22.470}=1.74×10^{−10}} \end{align*} \nonumber \]

Exercise \(\PageIndex{6}\): dissociation of dinitrogen tetroxide

Use the thermodynamic data provided in Tables T1 or T2 to calculate the equilibrium constant for the dissociation of dinitrogen tetroxide at 25 °C.

\[\ce{NO}_{2(g)} \rightleftharpoons \ce{N_2O}_{4(g)} \nonumber \]

Answer

K = 6.9

To further illustrate the relation between these two essential thermodynamic concepts, consider the observation that reactions spontaneously proceed in a direction that ultimately establishes equilibrium. As may be shown by plotting the free energy change versus the extent of the reaction (for example, as reflected in the value of Q), equilibrium is established when the system’s free energy is minimized (Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\)). If a system is present with reactants and products present in nonequilibrium amounts (Q ≠ K), the reaction will proceed spontaneously in the direction necessary to establish equilibrium.

Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): These plots show the free energy versus reaction progress for systems whose standard free changes are (a) negative, (b) positive, and (c) zero. Nonequilibrium systems will proceed spontaneously in whatever direction is necessary to minimize free energy and establish equilibrium. Note that reactions with K equal to exactly 1.000 are rare. 

Summary

Gibbs free energy (G) is a state function defined with regard to system quantities only and may be used to predict the spontaneity of a process. A negative value for ΔG indicates that the process will proceed in the forward direction to reach equilibrium; a positive ΔG indicates that the process will proceed in the reverse direction to reach equilibrium ; and a ΔG of zero indicates that the system is at equilibrium. A negative value for ΔGº means that the reaction is product-favored at equilibrium.  A positive value for ΔGº means that the reaction is reactant-favored at equilibrium. If ΔGº equals 0 (a rare occurrence), the reaction has roughly equal amounts of reactants and products at equilibrium.A number of approaches to the computation of free energy changes are possible.

Key Equations

• ΔG = ΔH − TΔS
• ΔG = ΔG° + RT ln Q
• ΔG° = −RT ln K

Glossary

Gibbs free energy change (G)

thermodynamic property defined in terms of system enthalpy and entropy; all spontaneous processes involve a decrease in G

standard free energy change (ΔG°)

change in free energy for a process occurring under standard conditions (1 bar pressure for gases, 1 M concentration for solutions)

standard free energy of formation \( (ΔG^\circ_\ce{f})\)

change in free energy accompanying the formation of one mole of substance from its elements in their standard states