How does enthalpy affect the spontaneity of a reaction?

1 Answer
Oct 3, 2015

#DeltaG=DeltaH - TDeltaS#

Explanation:

Spontaneity is governed by free energy #DeltaG#. The relationship between the change on free energy #DeltaG# and change on enthalpy #DeltaH# is:

#DeltaG=DeltaH - TDeltaS#
where #DeltaS# is the change on entropy.

For spontaneous processes, #DeltaG# has to be negative. In order to predict the sign of #DeltaG#, we will need to watch for the sign of #DeltaH# and the term #TDeltaS#. Here is a table that explains this:

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Here is a video that explains this in details;