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Unit 6: Gibbs Energy and Thermodynamics

  • Page ID
    207334
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    Unit 6 Objectives

    By the end of this unit, you will be able to:

    • Describe the difference between thermodynamics and kinetics
    • Describe the difference between spontaneous and non-spontaneous processes
    • Define enthalpy and entropy
    • Relate entropy and enthalpy to state changes for a substance
    • Describe Gibbs Free Energy
    • Calculate standard entropy changes for a reaction using standard molar entropies
    • Calculate standard change in free energy for a reaction
    • Relate equilibrium and free energy 

    • 6.1: Spontaneous and Nonspontaneous Processes
      Chemical and physical processes have a natural tendency to occur in one direction under certain conditions. A spontaneous process occurs without the need for a continual input of energy from some external source, while a nonspontaneous process requires such. Systems undergoing a spontaneous process may or may not experience a gain or loss of energy, but they will experience a change in the way matter and/or energy is distributed within the system.
    • 6.2: Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
      Entropy (S) is a state function whose value increases with an increase in the number of available microstates.For a given system, the greater the number of microstates, the higher the entropy. During a spontaneous process, the entropy of the universe increases.
    • 6.3: Entropy Changes Associated with State Changes
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    • 6.4: Heat Transfer and Changes in the Entropy of the Surroundings
    • 6.5: Gibbs Energy
      We can predict whether a reaction will occur spontaneously by combining the entropy, enthalpy, and temperature of a system in a new state function called Gibbs free energy (G). The change in free energy (ΔG) is the difference between the heat released during a process and the heat released for the same process occurring in a reversible manner. If a system is at equilibrium, ΔG = 0. If the process is spontaneous, ΔG < 0. If the process is not spontaneous as written.
    • 6.6: Entropy Changes in Chemical Reactions
      Changes in internal energy, that are not accompanied by a temperature change, might reflect changes in the entropy of the system.
    • 6.7: Gibbs Energy Changes in Chemical Reactions
      We can predict whether a reaction will occur spontaneously by combining the entropy, enthalpy, and temperature of a system in a new state function called Gibbs free energy (G). The change in free energy (ΔG) is the difference between the heat released during a process and the heat released for the same process occurring in a reversible manner. If a system is at equilibrium, ΔG = 0. If the process is spontaneous, ΔG < 0. If the process is not spontaneous as written.
    • 6.8: Gibbs Energy Changers for Non-Standard States
      For a reversible process (with no external work), the change in free energy can be expressed in terms of volume, pressure, entropy, and temperature. If ΔG° < 0, then K > 1, and products are favored over reactants. If ΔG° > 0, then K < 1, and reactants are favored over products. If ΔG° = 0, then K = 1, and the system is at equilibrium. We can use the measured equilibrium constant K at one temperature and ΔH° to estimate the equilibrium constant for a reaction at any other temperature.
    • 6.9: Gibbs Energy and Equilibrium
      For a reversible process (with no external work), the change in free energy can be expressed in terms of volume, pressure, entropy, and temperature. If ΔG° < 0, then K > 1, and products are favored over reactants. If ΔG° > 0, then K < 1, and reactants are favored over products. If ΔG° = 0, then K = 1, and the system is at equilibrium. We can use the measured equilibrium constant K at one temperature and ΔH° to estimate the equilibrium constant for a reaction at any other temperature.


    Unit 6: Gibbs Energy and Thermodynamics is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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