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.

Gibbs free energy

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.
Both ΔH and ΔS are positive

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.
Both ΔH and ΔS are negative

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.
ΔH is positive and ΔS is negative

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.
ΔH is negative and ΔS is positive

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
1

Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2

Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3

Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1

The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2

Periodic Trends

3.3

Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4

Halogens

3.5

Noble gases, group 18

3.6

Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7

Functional Group Chemistry

3.8

Alkanes

3.9

Alcohols

3.10

Halogenoalkanes

4

Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5

Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6

Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7

Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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