How is gibbs free energy related to enthalpy and entropy?

2 Answers
Mar 16, 2014

Gibbs free energy combines enthalpy and entropy into a single value.

Gibbs free energy is the energy associated with a chemical reaction that can do useful work. It equals the enthalpy minus the product of the temperature and entropy of the system.

G = HTS

At constant temperature

ΔG = ΔHTΔS

ΔG predicts the direction of a chemical reaction. If ΔG is negative, then the reaction is spontaneous. If ΔG is positive, then the reaction is non-spontaneous.

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The change in Gibbs Free Energy (ΔG) for any process is related to changes in enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) by the relationship
ΔG = ΔH - TΔS
where T is absolute temperature in Kelvins.

When ΔG is less than zero, there is a thermodynamic driving force for the reaction or process in the forward direction (as written). When ΔG is positive, then reactants are favored instead. When ΔG=0 the system is at equilibrium.