4.3.4

Thermodynamically Favorable Reactions

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Thermodynamically Favorable Reactions

Free energy and the thermodynamic favorability of a reaction is determined by enthalpy, entropy, and, sometimes, temperature.

Illustrative background for Gibbs free energyIllustrative background for Gibbs free energy ?? "content

Gibbs free energy

  • Gibbs free energy change is described by the equation ΔG = ΔH - TΔS.
    • This gives four possible outcomes, which will be detailed below.
Illustrative background for Both ΔH and ΔS are positiveIllustrative background for Both ΔH and ΔS are positive ?? "content

Both ΔH and ΔS are positive

  • This condition describes an endothermic process that involves an increase in system entropy.
  • In this case, ΔG will be negative if the magnitude of the TΔS term is greater than ΔH.
  • If the TΔS term is less than ΔH, the free energy change will be positive.
    • Such a process is thermodynamically favorable at high temperatures and not thermodynamically favorable at low temperatures.
Illustrative background for Both ΔH and ΔS are negativeIllustrative background for Both ΔH and ΔS are negative ?? "content

Both ΔH and ΔS are negative

  • This condition describes an exothermic process that involves a decrease in system entropy.
  • In this case, ΔG will be negative if the magnitude of the TΔS term is less than ΔH.
  • If the TΔS term’s magnitude is greater than ΔH, the free energy change will be positive.
    • Such a process is thermodynamically favorable at low temperatures and not thermodynamically favorable at high temperatures.
Illustrative background for ΔH is positive and ΔS is negativeIllustrative background for ΔH is positive and ΔS is negative ?? "content

ΔH is positive and ΔS is negative

  • This condition describes an endothermic process that involves a decrease in system entropy.
  • In this case, ΔG will be positive regardless of the temperature.
    • Such a process is not thermodynamically favorable at all temperatures.
Illustrative background for ΔH is negative and ΔS is positiveIllustrative background for ΔH is negative and ΔS is positive ?? "content

ΔH is negative and ΔS is positive

  • This condition describes an exothermic process that involves an increase in system entropy.
  • In this case, ΔG will be negative regardless of the temperature.
    • Such a process is thermodynamically favorable at all temperatures.

Jump to other topics

1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2Periodic Trends

3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4Halogens

3.5Noble gases, group 18

3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7Functional Group Chemistry

3.8Alkanes

3.9Alcohols

3.10Halogenoalkanes

4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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