In the Gibbs energy equation is "s" the symbol for entropy?

1 Answer
Jul 19, 2016

No.

#s# is not the symbol for entropy. Sometimes, #s# is used for specific heat capacity in #"J/g"cdot"K"#:

#q = msDeltaT#

where:

  • #q# is heat flow in #"J"#. In is positive, and out is negative.
  • #m# is mass in #"g"#.
  • #DeltaT# is change in temperature in #"K"# or #""^@ "C"#.

Entropy, however, is featured as #ul(ul(S))#:

#\mathbf(DeltaG = DeltaH - TDeltaS)#

where:

  • #DeltaG# is the Gibbs' Free Energy in #"kJ/mol"#.
  • #DeltaH# is the enthalpy in #"kJ/mol"#.
  • #T# is the temperature in #"K"#.
  • #DeltaS# is the entropy in #"J/K"cdot"mol"#.

The capitalization matters.